Community Corner
Park Forest Police Donate Expired Bulletproof Vests To Ukraine
According to police, the vests can still be used after their expiration date but cannot be used by police due to liability issues.
PARK FOREST, IL — Park Forest Police Department officials announced Friday they are donating 22 bulletproof vests to civilians and troops in Ukraine in light of the country's recent attacks from Russia.
While the vests are expired, police told Patch they still can still offer protection up to a few years after the expiration date as the ballistic plates have not yet degraded.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, vests may continue to work after their expiration date has passed but are not reliable and often donated to movie sets or sent to be recycled.
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Park Forest decided to make the donation after the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police reached out to local police departments looking for defense equipment and other donations for Ukrainians.
Orland Park Police Department also donated extra ballistic vests which are set to be shipped to Poland and distributed to Ukrainians in need of protection.
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In addition to vests, local news source Southland Voice added toys and games for children to the donation load.
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