Belvidere Police Department seeks donations for K9 ballistic vests

BELVIDERE, Ill. (WTVO) — The Belvidere Police Department is trying to raise funds to acquire ballistic vests for its two K9 officers.

“I get approached weekly from people saying, ‘Hey, how can I help the K9? How can I help donate money? How? What do they need?’ We always need vests,” said Officer Matthew Korn.

Korn said the department wants to get two K9 Storm vests for his partner, Solo, and another K9, Tazz.

But they don’t come cheap. The vests sell for around $3,500.

“The vest that we currently have for him, it’s really for deployments only. It’s heavy, it’s bulky. It reaches all the way to his back legs. So if he runs too hard, it could cause chafing,” Korn explained. “His new vest. They’re slimmer. They don’t affect the body heat at all. They fit the dog perfectly; they’re sized to him specifically. It’s all around, just a significantly better vest.”

The new vests would act as both a harness and protection, allowing the dogs to wear them while out on patrol or responding to calls.

Deputy Chief David Bird said that makes it safer for both the handler, as well as the K9.

“When they go out on the street, the handlers and the canines never really know what kind of call they might encounter. And this allows them to have the vests on them for the entirety of their shift, and allows them to be safe,” he said.

Korn said the fundraising effort gives the community a chance to feel like they’re a part of the department.

“It’s super nice to get both people involved to the community and the police department gives them a sense of purpose to help the canines, and it gives them the top-of-the-line, best quality vest to help prolong their life and all that they can do,” he said.

Once the funds are raised, it will take 3-4 months to get the vests.

Donations can be made here.