Schiavoni legislation seeks to increase the safety of correction officers

YOUNGSTOWN

State Sen. Joe Schiavoni introduced legislation to create a state grant program to increase the safety of correction officers and others who work with people in custody.

“After an officer was stabbed in my district, I was astonished to find out that we are not providing our officers with the safety equipment they need,” Schiavoni of Boardman, D-33rd, said. “I understand that agencies are already strapped with limited budgets so this grant program would help provide our law enforcement officials with the resources they need so they can come home safe every day.”

Schiavoni’s legislation would create a $4 million noncompetitive grant program for purchasing stab-proof vests, which are not currently provided to all officers who work with individuals in custody. The program would be available for state departments and agencies who employ corrections officers, county jail deputies and other qualifying law enforcement officials.