Senator announces start of program to help buy bullet-proof vests

Reid, D-Nev., helped create the program with the support of Nevada Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa, who hailed the vests as "real lifesavers."

Under the $25 million, 50 percent matching grant program, Nevada will receive at least $125,000 a year to buy about 500 vests for officers.

According to the FBI, nearly a third of the 1,182 officers killed in the line of duty by firearms since 1980 could have survived if they had been wearing such vests.

"We need to ensure these brave men and women who put their lives on the line for us have the equipment they need," Reid said. "Criminals should not be better protected than those who seek to get them off the streets."

The application process for the grants opened last week. The bill was signed by President Clinton last year.

archive