Monongahela Woman’s Club and Monongahela Rotary Supports Monongahela Police Vest Fund

Last Updated on Thursday, 29 October 2020 20:11

The Monongahela Woman’s Club and the Monongahela Rotary have donated $500 each to the City of Monongahela’s Police Vest Fund. The fund drive is sponsored by the Monongahela Area Revitalization (MARC), who has set up a separate account to house these donations.

Pictured left to right: Monongahela Mayor, Greg Garry; Monongahela Woman's Club President, Rosemary Bucchianeri; Monongahela Police Chief, Kevin Harris; MWC Executive Board Officer, Debbie Lenzi; MCPD: Sgt. Ryan Lenzi; MWC Past President/MARC member, Nancy Eckert; MARC President, George Eckert.

“FBI statistics show that from 1987-2015, 92% of felonious deaths of law enforcement officers in the line of duty in the United States were due to firearms,” said Monongahela Police Chief, Kevin Harris. “However, the data from cases that show the officer was shot in the torso revealed that those who wore body armor were 76% less likely to be killed than those who did not.” Monongahela has a mandatory wear policy of a vest for their officers.

As of November 1, 2020, out of the 22 certified police officers serving Monongahela, New Eagle, Finleyville, and Union Township, 15 officers do not have a bulletproof vest that is compliant with the National Institute of Justice standards. Certified vests run anywhere from $800 to $1,200 each and variations in price are due to the different threat levels (thickness) of the body armor.

Photo below right:

Pictured L-R: (Front Row) John Cattaneo, VP MARC; Mike Thompson, Sandy Davis, Rich Bucchianeri, Laura Usher, Sgt. Ryan Lenzi, and Dave Saverino. (Back Row) - Marshall Marra, Tom Graney, Debbie Mangino, James Roberts, Gabe Paulick, Tony Bottino, and George Eckert,Pres. MARC

Woman’s Club President, Rosemary Bucchianeri, presented the idea of a donation to the Vest Fund to her Executive Board after learning that any donation given would double as the MCPD received a matching federal grant of $6,569.71. In reality, the Woman’s Club donation means $1,000 for the Monongahela Police Department.

“Monongahela Rotary Club’s support of this project is greatly appreciated,” stated Chief Harris. “Their contribution to the fund will help protect our officers, as have the other organizations and individuals donations.”

MARC President, George Eckert stated that the Fund is more than half-way to its goal and any contribution is appreciated. MARC is a 501c(3) under the IRS Code and all donations are tax deductible. Support can be sent to: George Eckert, 102 Baywood Drive, Monongahela, PA 15063. Please make checks payable to MARC-Police Vest Fund.