While CNN, Fox News and other major TV cameras were sharply focused on the Berrien County Courthouse last July 11th following the murder of two Berrien County Sheriff's Department Bailiffs there, you likely won't see or hear any of what you are about to read on those channels today in direct response to the tragedy that struck Michigan's Great Southwest. The good news rarely makes headlines on a national scale.
The good news today is, in actuality, amazing news that what started out as a $5,000 challenge grant from the Berrien Community Foundation has ballooned into a check presentation today of more than $52,000 to Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey to help properly outfit his officers in hopes that no such tragedy will ever occur again.
Berrien Community Foundation President Lisa Cripps-Downey handed over a check totaling $52,229 to Bailey this morning following a huge public outpouring of support in the wake of the cold-blooded killings of Officers Joe Zangaro and Ron Kienzle by a Coloma man who commandeered a Deputy's weapon, took several people hostage and then killed the two in his attempt to escape from custody at the Berrien County Courthouse on July 11th.
Cripps-Downey said today that following the shootings at the Courthouse, the community "was in shock, and we all wanted to do something to make it better." She says that her team met with Bailey and talked about the unmet needs of the department that could possibly help prevent something like the attack from happening again. She says, "We started a campaign to raise money to purchase plate carrier bullet proof vests, level three security holsters, and weapon mounted flashlights. The BCF issued a $5k challenge grant to the community, and the community responded in a way that really shouldn’t surprise me any more because of the generosity that we see here every day."
Cripps-Downey says, "Donations came in from all over Berrien County, and they ranged from $5 to $6,000. People sent in not just checks, but they sent in letters of condolence to the sheriff’s department, they sent in thank you notes for what these officers do for our community every single day. In addition to those kind of donations, there was a community run sponsored by the SW Michigan Racers, that raised over $6k, restaurants hosted give-back nights, local high school students sold ice cream bars to raise money, the Upton Foundation made a grant, and our generous corporations LECO Corporation, Whirlpool and Michiana Land Services each made significant donations of $5k or more."
Bailey was overwhelmed with the response as well, promising Lisa, "We will put this money to good use. Law enforcement goes out every day and works very hard to get the job done, no matter what risk there is to their own personal safety. I am very proud of the men and women who work for me, that go out there every day" to ensure the safety of the community.
Bailey explained that the new outer, plate carrier, vests are designed for active shooter situations, noting that the regular vests of his officers are not designed to stop rifle rounds, whereas the new vests will. Also being purchased for officers are Level 3 Holsters, a step-up from the current devices used. They are designed to make it very difficult for anyone other than the officer to remove the weapon quickly.
Also being acquired with the new money donated are weapon-mounted gun lights which will free officers from having to carry a weapon in one hand and a flashlight in the other in night time or darkened room situations. Bailey says his team had been talking about getting that type of equipment for nearly five years, but never had the resources to do so.
Bailey says, "This just goes to show you how supportive this community is to our departments, as they get behind police, fire and EMS personnel to assure we have the tools we need to do the job," especially considering it is money above and beyond the tax dollars that already fund protection.
Lisa was asked about a particular stand-out donation, and she admitted that it was probably also the smallest donation made. She says, "It was a $5 donation with a letter saying 'Thank You' and I wish I could give more, but wanted to do something to help."
Bailey closed today's press conference by saying, "We are just overwhelmed with the generosity. We lost two great men who were also our closed friends when we lost Court Security Officers Joe Zangaro and Ron Kienzle. We want to protect our officers and do what we can to make sure a tragedy like this never happens again."
