WHARTON FILES BILL TO CREATE GRANT PROGRAM PROVIDING BULLET-RESISTANT MATERIALS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT VEHICLES

  

Trey Wharton’s first bill filed as District 12 State Representative seeks to equip law enforcement vehicles with bullet-resistant materials.

Filed last week, House Bill 2217 would direct Texas’ criminal justice division to establish and administer a grant program providing law enforcement agencies with financial assistance to outfit patrol vehicles with bullet-resistant windshields, side windows, rear windows and door panels. 

As part of the grant program, the state would set up eligibility criteria for grant applicants, procedures for applying for and evaluating grant applications, guidelines for grant amounts, and measures to monitor the use of grant funds awarded.

In announcing the bill, Wharton said it is a step toward ensuring peace officers have the protection they need to continue serving their communities. 

Wharton also thanked the nonprofit organization Operation Safe Shield for its work in assisting law enforcement agencies across the Brazos Valley, saying it has provided added protection for 140 patrol vehicles since being founded in 2021.  He said this bill aims to “expand those protections to even more officers across Texas.”