Fort Worth Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald displays one of the enhanced ballistic vests acquired by the department through a major donation from a local firm. (Courtesy photo).
The Mallick Group, a Fort Worth real estate and energy investment firm, is donating $355,000 to the Fort Worth Police Department SWAT Support Group to purchase 900 enhanced ballistic vests for front-line officers and graduating recruits. These vests offer protect against high-velocity rounds and armor-piercing ammunition.
The donation launched the Protect the Fort initiative, which is coupled with a holiday call to action by the Mallick Group to residents, organizations and businesses to help protect those who protect our community. Additional contributions will be used to purchase enhanced ballistic helmets and other protective equipment for Fort Worth police officers.
“This generous donation from the Mallick Group exemplifies both the incredible community support for our first responders and the strong culture of public-private partnerships that we are blessed with in Fort Worth,” said Mayor Betsy Price. “I’m excited to see the Protect the Fort initiative open the door for others to tangibly give back to our officers. I trust that these vests will not only provide additional protection for our police force, but also convey to our officers that we as a community support their sacrifice to Fort Worth.”
Co-chairmen of the Protect the Fort effort are former Mayor Mike Moncrief and his wife Rosie, and Gary and Marilyn Randle, who are affiliated with Hope Farm Inc.
“This donation inspires our department and provides a level of support that may not be as evident in other major cities,” Chief Joel Fitzgerald said. “It is our hope that others will answer the call to action of the Protect the Fort initiative by participating in this endeavor with the goal of augmenting the safety of all public servants.”
http://protectthefort.com/