West Chester Police Collect Body Armor for Ukraine

WEST CHESTER —West Chester police collected 268 bullet proof vests from police in Chester County that are enroute to Ukraine to be used by emergency workers for protection.

The protection gear will be given to doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff to help protect them from harm during the crisis in their country.

“It was a humanitarian effort,” J. Patrick Davis, Chester County Director Public Safety Training and Development, who organized the local drive, said Monday.

The vests were taken from West Chester to Lewistown state police in Juniata County Friday.

From there, they are being dropped off at the Vermont National Guard. They are expected to be transported Wednesday to Ukraine.

The Chester County collection drive began last Wednesday when Davis was notified by Kirk Trate, a retired state police captain, of statewide collection.

West Chester Police Chief Jim Morehouse agreed to organize the Chester County, asking all 47 police departments to donate. He was assisted by Lt. Martin J. Deighan and Cpl. Jason Malicki.


“The National Institute of Justice standard permits five years of use before a ballistic protective vest needs to be replaced,” the chief said. “Many of these vests, although out of date range, are still useful. Quite honestly, they are certainly better than having no protection.”