Local law enforcement receives protective vests in major donation

Multiple law enforcement and fire department agencies in El Paso County received $50,000 worth of potentially life-saving gear thanks to two local organizations.

Agencies from Colorado Springs, Tri-Lakes, Security-Widefield, Fountain, and El Paso County were thankful for their new gear. Jake Skifstad the founder of Shield 616 which supplied the equipment says the money was raised by 4Rivers Equipment. He says in total 31 responders will get a set, “We are doing 31 kits tonight, and each set has rifle ready protection, a ballistic helmet, and also a gunshot wound trauma kit,” says Skifstad.

The armored vests used to protect against rifle rounds is now lighter. Going from eight pounds to just more than three. Lieutenant Missy Reynolds with the Fountain Police Department says it’s a big improvement, “The lighter the better, it enables us to move faster and get to victims as quickly as we can,” Reynolds says.

While more law enforcement agencies in Colorado now have this very important kit, the town that the FBI ranks as one of the most violent in Colorado still does not. Skifstad says he is aware of the gap in Pueblo and is currently working with others to fix it. “We have a ways to go,” Skifstad says, “we are going to get those going as fast as we can because we know there is a lot of stuff happening down in the Pueblo area.”

Deputy Chief Chris Noeller with Pueblo police says our history of high profile shootings in Colorado highlights a very real need. “The violence that is going on around the country with instances like planned parenthood and the Aurora theater shooting, those kinds of instances, it’s important for our officers to protect themselves with the body armor,” says Noeller. He adds it also makes officers more at ease in the line of duty, knowing that if a situation turns violent, they have something to protect themselves.

Skifstad says he is working with Pueblo on how to raise money for the equipment. He says as soon as enough is raised, it takes about two months for the vests and equipment to be ready.