Body Armor Grant Awarded To Lakewood Police

LAKEWOOD, OH — Lakewood Police are among the 300 local law enforcement agencies that will receive a body armor grant from the Ohio Attorney General's Office. Lakewood will receive more than $25,000 to purchase body armor, according to the state.

“Law enforcement happens at the local level,” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said. “Seeing that these grants are being used in every corner of our state helps me rest easier at night knowing that our peace officers are better equipped to return home safely to their loved ones at the conclusion of each shift.”

Grants were also given to Rocky River Police, Westlake Police and Bay Village Police. More than $2.7 million in grants were awarded statewide, according to Yost's office.

All of the grants were administered through the Ohio Law Enforcement Body Armor Program, which was started in August 2018. The program is funded by the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation.

Grants could be awarded in increments up to $40,000, Yost's office said. However, less than 9-percent of the grants exceeded $20,000.

Many of the police departments receiving grants were concentrated around major metro areas, like Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati. An interactive map shared by Yost's office allows users to track where grant money was allocated.