Fundraiser helps replace bulletproof vests for Chicago Police

Pancake breakfast raises money for Chicago police

Chicago Alderman Matt O'Shea taking his annual "Get Behind the Vest" pancake breakfast to the Beverly neighborhood  Only this year with a twist---adding a night of pizza and drinks with guest bartenders all working on behalf of the men and women in blue who don't have to scrimp and save to come up with the $500 needed to replace this life saving equipment.

CHICAGO - For more than a decade, the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation has partnered with Uniform Stores to provide free custom bulletproof vests to CPD officers, but the vests degrade over time, and a replacement costs $500 on average.

A fundraiser started years ago helps offset the extra cost for officers.

What we know:

The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation has, for the past 12 years, partnered with Uniform Stores to provide custom-made bullet-proof vests for the men and women of the Chicago Police Department at no cost. CPD officers are provided with vests upon graduation from the academy. However, the vests degrade over time, requiring replacements at an average of $500.

Alderman Matt O’Shea, (19th Ward) hosted his 11th annual Get Behind The Vest Pancake Breakfast in the Beverly neighborhood only this year, adding a twist – it was a pizza night complete with guest bartenders.

"Chicago police officers are issued a vest when they graduate from the academy. That vest has a shelf life, it's about five years," said O'Shea. "So the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation kicked off this campaign 11 years ago to purchase new vests as they rotate these vests through their lifespan."

Alderman O’Shea says his annual breakfasts have raised nearly $800,000 for new vests, while the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation has raised over $6 million, replacing 15,000 vests for Chicago’s finest.