Shield616, a nonprofit organization, founded by Jake Skifstad, a Colorado Springs Police officer for the past 15 years, is making a difference in the protection and welfare of local Colorado Springs Police Officers.
On Monday, 18 July 2016, 14 Police Officers and one Sheriff's deputy received new advanced active shooter/crowd control gear, all in part to Shield616 (Jake's Vision) to local businesses and individuals donating funding and support to local police officers. As of today, approximately 87 police officers have been sponsored, 62 have received the new gear, and 25 more are slated to receive theirs within the next month.
Excellence in Giving was one of those sponsoring organizations. Al Mueller, President of Excellence in Giving, stated "In today's climate of violence towards the men and women in blue, we need to do something to ensure their safety, just as, they provide protection for every person in our communities. We owe it to their families."
Jake Skifstad states, "Shield616 focus' is on the street cop." As a first responder for the December 2007 Shooting at New Life Church, the November 2015 Planned Parenthood shooting, and several other active shooter situations, Jake decided something need to be done to ensure the welfare and safety of his fellow police officers and to give their families some peace of mind.
Jake's vision for Shield616 is to equip every police officer with an advanced active shooter/crowd control gear. The protective equipment includes: ballistic helmet, ballistic glasses, vest with rifle rated armor, optic binoculars to see threats from a distance, a gunshot wound trauma kit, and a gas mask pouch.
Being mindful of limited police department budgets, Jake knew that neither the department nor the police officers themselves would be able to fund this new equipment. Jake decided to reach out to local business, foundations, charitable organizations and individuals to not only support the initial funding but also assist the cost of replacement equipment. Bottom-line is: Zero Cost to a police officer or the department.
If you are interested in donating to Shield 616 to provide an officer or multiple officers with necessary advanced active shooter/crowd control gear, please clink on the following link: http://shield616.org/sponsor-a-cop.
Here are the latest news stories about Shield616:
FOX 21 NEWS - 15 Police Officers Receive new Bullet Proof Vests
KRDO NEWS - Non-profit Shield616 donates top of the line safety gear to local officers