Police foundation teams up with local business for vests, cameras

Fundraising efforts are continuing by the Shawnee Police Foundation to buy tactical bulletproof vests for the police department, and now local residents can help the cause when they get the oil changed in their cars.
The Shawnee Pittstop, 1502 N. Airport Drive, will donate $1 of each oil change made between Nov. 8 and Nov. 15 to the foundation for that cause.
The foundation has been conducting a drive to raise funds for the bulletproof vests and miniature video cameras for police officers.
Tom Keller, chairman of the foundation, said the clip-on video cameras for officer’s shirts can record what an officer does in their work, no matter where they are, which can be used as evidence or training.
The foundation also wants to purchase bulletproof vests to keep up with new technologies and be ready in hopes that the tactical unit can be re-started to serve Shawnee and surrounding communities.
Twelve of the vests, priced at about $2,500 each, are on the wish-list, he said.
Bob Seikel, chairman of the fundraising committing for SPF, said they are working to raise about $37,000 for the two efforts.
Seikel said Joe Weinrich, general manager of the Shawnee Pittstop, heard about the drive and volunteered to donate the $1 for each oil change made on that designated week. He also said they would ask customers if they want to make a direct donation to the foundation. Pittstop hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
The police foundation typically has two fundraising events each year — a winter banquet and a summer golf tournament. Funds raised for the non-profit organization are used to purchase items for the Shawnee Police Department that aren’t normally included in the city’s budget.
Any donations may be sent to the Shawnee Police Foundation, P.O. Box 32, Shawnee, OK 74802-0032. For more information, contact Bob Seikel, fundraising committee chairman, at 273-8008.
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Kim Morava may be reached by calling 214-3962.