Expired Bullet Proof Vests 'taken care of'

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Story Published: Nov 23, 2009 at 5:30 PM MDT

Story Updated: Nov 23, 2009 at 7:29 PM MDT

By Steven Pope

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TETON COUNTY - Nearly 2 years ago we ran a story about how every Deputy at the Teton County Sheriff's Office was wearing an expired vest.

"Each vest has a life date when it will expire. Usually it's between 3 and 5 years," said Chief Deputy Rick Henry.

A vest can cost anywhere from 700 to 1500 dollars. And the Sheriff's Office forgot to budget new vests.

"Basically because it was such a small office, the funding just wasn't available," said Henry.

"What has the Sheriff's Office done to fix the problem?" I asked.

"Everybody has a vest, we have the make and the model, and the expiration date. As those dates get closer, we just check the vests, usually the guys are really good about it, and tell us the vest will expire within a year," said Henry.

"Why is it important to have a vest that is not expired?" I asked.

"Working without a vest or even an expired vest is sometimes not a very comfortable feeling," said Henry.

"It would be like eating expired mayonnaise. It's going to cause a problem," said Teton County Sheriff Tony Liford.

Expired mayonnaise could make ya sick. But imagine putting on an expired bullet proof vest, well, that could kill ya.

"The Kevlar weave gets stretched or moved, it won't have the same stopping abilities that a newer vest would," said Liford.

"And to your knowledge are all the vests not expired at this point?" I asked.

"Yes... we don't have anybody running with expired vests," answered Liford.

I spoke with most Upper Valley Law Enforcement agencies and they all told me their vests are also up to date.

Even the St. Anthony Police, who were just forced to cut several police officer positions, have received new vests this fall.

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