Following the shooting of two Newton County deputies, the parents of Wesley Atha are spearheading a campaign to raise money to upgrade the bullet proof vests at the NCSO.
"There is an old adage that says that out of every bad situation something good can come," said Sheriff Ezell Brown. "Over the past few weeks the citizens of Newton County have proven this to be true."
Currently deputies are equipped with Level II bullet proof vests and the campaign seeks to ensure that all deputies to have a Level III vest, which provides the wearer with better impact protection.
The sheriff’s office does not currently have the funds available to purchase these vests, which range between $500-700, depending on size. With those costs in mind, outfitting the 166 mandated deputies at the NCSO with Level III vests could be more than $113,000.
"We can only serve and protect when properly equipped," said Brown. "They are insuring that our department has the best protective gear that money can buy. They have advocated, collected funds from neighbors, relatives, businesses and community leaders to purchase state-of-the-art safety equipment."The Help Protect the Ones Who Protect You campaign has arranged for tax deductible donations to be made payable to the Newton County Sheriff’s Office and for money to be earmarked for Safety Vests and Equipment. Donations can be mailed care of Sherry Dollar to the NCSO at 15151 Alcovy Road, Covington 30014.
"Just knowing that you care enough to reach out on our behalf makes it a greater pleasure for our department to serve and protect," said Brown. "On behalf of the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, I say ‘thank you.’"
