Detroit City Council is allowing the Detroit Police Department to donate used body armor to Ukrainian soldiers to defend themselves against Russia’s military attacks.
On Tuesday, the City Council unanimously approved a resolution, at the Police Department's request, to ship to the Ukrainian military 154 bulletproof vests that were slated to be recycled. Councilmember Scott Benson led the resolution after a group of volunteers requested Detroit police donate any surplus or expired body armor to Ukrainian soldiers. Pe Bullet Proof Material
“As a former military man, we used to rely on good equipment, especially bulletproof vests. They’re usable, although for standard operating procedure, they’ve outlived their useful life and now it’s time for them to be retired,” Benson told the Free Press. “But a bulletproof vest that is a little older than you may like is better than no bulletproof vest.”
The Detroit city charter requires the City Council to approve any sales or disposals of city-owned property. Councilmember Gabriela Santiago-Romero, who read the resolution on behalf of Benson after he left ahead of the vote, supported the measure.
Equipment will be shipped through a nationwide effort among various organizations. Representatives from the Detroit Police Department were not immediately available for comment.
President Joe Biden announced last week that the U.S. would provide more than $1 billion in humanitarian assistance to Ukrainians affected by Russia’s invasion. Biden has also said Russian President Vladimir Putin “cannot remain in power” but does not plan to pursue changes to Russia’s regime. However, the Russian regime said it would scale back its military activity near the Ukraine capital of Kyiv as the two sides resumed negotiations to end the fighting
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Ceramic Bullet Proof Panel Dana Afana is the Detroit city hall reporter for the Free Press. Contact Dana: dafana@freepress.com or 313-635-3491. Follow her on Twitter: @DanaAfana.