The Department of Justice has awarded the following Second Congressional District communities federal funding to purchase bulletproof vests:
 
 Cranston   $2,381.14   Providence  $18,337.13
 Foster  $1,100.70   Richmond  $2,386.72
 Glocester $225.34   Scituate  $880.58
 Johnston $2,176.88   West Warwick  $2,092.78

 
 “I am pleased that the United States Department of Justice has awarded Rhode Island communities with federal funds to provide our law enforcement officers with bulletproof vests,” said Congressman Langevin.  “Law enforcement officials place their lives on the line each and every time they begin a new shift.  These vests will protect those who strive to keep our neighborhoods safe and free of crime.”

 According to the USDOJ, this program will help state, county and local law enforcement and corrections agencies purchase over 190,000 bulletproof vests this year.  Since the program began 3 years ago, Justice Department funding has assisted with the purchase of over 500,000 vests.  The program, which has had more jurisdictions apply each year, showed a substantial increase this year, with over 25 percent more applicants.

 The funds were made available under the Bulletproof Vest Grant Partnership Act, which was passed into law in 1998.  The Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant enacted last year authorizes funding for three more years, from 2002 to 2004, and provides for priority funding for jurisdictions with populations under 100,000, according to the USDOJ.

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