ACTION REQUESTED:
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Communication from the Mayor, Police Chief and the Fire Chief with a Request for the Following:
A. ADOPT an ORDINANCE Amending the City of Peoria 2019 REVISED ANNUAL BUDGET Relating to the Use of General Fund Balance to Provide Funding for the Acquisition of ARMORED SHIELDS, RIFLE PLATE VESTS, BALLISTIC SHIELDS and BALLISTIC HELMETS, in the Amount of $47,547.00;
B. APPROVE the SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE of Five (5) Level IIIA Armored Shields from BLUE RIDGE ARMOR, in the Amount of $17,375.00;
C. APPROVE the SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE of Thirty-Five (35) Rifle Plate Vests, Twenty (20) Ballistic Vests and Sixteen (16) Ballistic Helmets from FEDERAL EASTERN INTERNATIONAL, in the Amount of $30,172.00.
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BACKGROUND: Nationwide incidents involving active shooters utilizing rifles to inflict mass casualties on the civilian population continue to occur. The City of Peoria is not immune to the risk of a mass shooting or a terrorist attack. The Peoria Police Department trains for such contingencies. In light of the increasing number of mass shootings, it is clear that the Peoria Police Department and Fire Department would be better prepared and equipped to respond and engage these types of threats with the acquisition of the requested ballistic plates and ballistic shields.
The body armor worn by the Peoria Police officers does not provided any protection against rifle rounds. The thirty-five (35) sets of rifle plates includes a front plate, a back plate, and a carrier. These ballistic rifle plate sets requested from Federal Eastern International would allow the officers to quickly put these carriers over their uniform shirt and body armor. With the addition of these protective ballistic plates, the officers will be able to respond more effectively with more personal protection in these rapidly-evolving, high risk situations and improve the officer’s survivability while engaging the deadly threat. The Fire Department’s first responders need protection for their safety and survival as they respond to these emergency situations. The Fire Department currently does not have any body protection safety equipment for their first responders. The Fire Department will be acquiring twenty (20) ballistic vest and sixteen (16) ballistic helmets to allow the Fire Department’s first responders to respond more effectively with more personal protection should a high risk situation occur.
The five (5) armored shields requested from Blue Ridge Armor would be strategically distributed in police vehicles throughout the City in order to provide adequate coverage and a quick response to an active shooter incident. With the addition of these protective ballistic shields, the officers will be able to respond more effectively with more personal protection while engaging the deadly threat.
With the recent uptick in these deadly events, the purchase from Federal eastern International and Blue Ridge Armor will quickly provide the police and fire department with these essential pieces of equipment. The City of Peoria has made past purchases of ballistic plates and shields from these companies and found both companies have provided excellent customer service and the quality of the equipment is excellent.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: This would add $19,183.60 to the current Fire Department operational budget and $28,363 to the current Police Department operational budget.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: N/A
IMPACT IF APPROVED: Armored shields, rifle plate vest, ballistic vests and helmets would help to ensure the safety of the Police and Fire Department’s first responders in active shooter emergencies.
IMPACT IF DENIED: The lack of ballistic protective equipment puts the Police and Fire Department’s first responders in danger of being injured and possibly killed during active shooter situations. Citizens involved would also be in danger if first responders are unable to provide medical care.
ALTERNATIVES: N/A
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: 03520 200331
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2017 - 2032 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Safe Peoria
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Not applicable.
DEPARTMENT: Mayor