CPD's Sabo to get protective vest
<p dir="ltr"><span>In a Monday news release, Chester Police Chief Ryan Coffey announced his agency’s K9 officer, Sabo, will be receiving a bullet-and-stab-protective vest.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>The donation is being made possible through the nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. and is sponsored by Gail and John Zapf of Bethlehem, Penn. The vest will be embroidered with the sentiment “God bless and protect this K9 and his partner</span><span>.”</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Delivery is expected within eight to 10 weeks.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is located in East Taunton, Mass., whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>It was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially life saving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc has provided more than 2,300 protective vests, in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a cost of over $1.9 million dollars.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>All vests are custom made in the U.S. by Armor Express in Central Lake, Mich.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 20 months of age.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>New K9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $1,050. Each vest has a value between $1,795 and $2,234 and a five-year warranty, and an average weight of 4 to 5 pounds.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>There is an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts tax-deductible donations of any denomination at www.vik9s.org or mailed to P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.</span>