By CLEOPATRA MURPHY
Freeport News Intern
Adam Cafferata of Cafferata and Co donated a protective vest to the Rotary Club of Grand Bahama Sunrise as a part of the Rotary Club's "Protect the Protectors Programme."
The donation made by Cafferata will go a long way in aiding the club in fulfilling its mission of acquiring 75 ballistic-resistant protective vests to keep police officers protected while on duty.
Fully endorsing the Rotary's initiative on behalf of the protectors of our nation, Cafferata said, "We all need to support these brave men and women and we are proud to show our support."
As a testimony to the usefulness of bullet-proof vests, in a press release the Sunrise Rotary Club recalls an incident that could have ended in tragedy for one U.S. officer.
During a routing traffic stop in Montgomery City, Missouri, two police officers stopped a man after he had run stop sign. Unbeknownst to the officers, the man carried with him a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol.
As he approached the car, the officer was gunned down, receiving nine shots in the vicinity of his torso, shoulder, lower arm and lower back.
While the officer survived because he was equipped with a ballistic-resistant protective vest, the same could not be said for an officer in New Providence who succumbed to his injuries following a shoot out.
The officer did not wear a protective vest.
Remarking on the importance of the equipment, Tom Leeder, president of Rotary Club Grand Bahama Sunrise, said protective vests "are a very important tool in fighting crime and the Rotary Club of Grand Bahama Sunrise is doing its part to raise funds to purchase protective vests for the Royal Bahamas Police Force."
To raise money for the much needed vests, the club will be hosting a "Protect The Protectors Rib Fest" on July 5 from 12 noon to 6 p.m. to close off Police Appreciation Week, which will be held June 30 to July 5.
The Sunrise Rotary Club encourages the public to come out to Sea Horse Plaza to support their efforts.
Featured on the menu are Southern style ribs, buttered rolls, yams and cole slaw. Tickets can be purchased for $12 from Rotary members and police officers.
The Royal Bahamas Police Band along with Purple Thunder will be on-hand to provide entertainment, with further demonstrations by the Police and Fire Departments.
