ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York’s attorney general on Monday pledged $3.5 million from criminal and civil forfeitures to help outfit police statewide with thousands of bulletproof vests.

Intended to fill the recent funding gap in a federal grant program, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said the so-called “inVEST Partnership” will enable New York law enforcement agencies to cover up to half the cost of equipping new officers or replacing expiring vests for others. The matching funds are expected to help fund 6,000 to 10,000 vests.

Recommended Stories

Immigrants arrested in NYC in massive crackdown on robberies

NYPD deploys 10,000 police officers for Knicks ticker-tape parade

‘A crisis within a crisis’: NYPD can keep protesters detained more than 24 hours, judge rules