Mayor Reed invests in new equipment to keep officers safe

ATLANTA - When police officers were getting killed in city after city during the summer, Atlanta’s mayor heard from wives and mothers of cops right here. They told Kasim Reed they feared possible copycats and asked him to do more to protect police.

Reed said he is prepared to keep a pledge to those public safety families in that he has raised enough cash to purchase fortified vests and helmets that will soon be available in the event those officers have to face heavy firepower.

And the Georgia Power is providing a big assist. It is contributing half the funds, $900,000, to purchase the equipment.

Chief Executive Officer Paul Bowers said the company wants the officers who protect all of its customers to have the confidence their equipment can keep them safe.