Scottdale police receive donation to purchase bulletproof shield

Scottdale Police Chief Barry Pritts accepts a $2,500 donation from the Scottdale Community Civic Industrial Association to help purchase a folding bulletproof shield. From left are association board members Susan Ansell and Cathy Depta, Pritts, and association President Matthew Helinski. Association member Lauren Eicher is not pictured.

When Matt Helinski, Scottdale Community Civic Industrial Association president, spoke with police Chief Barry Pritts, he liked what he heard and decided how to help the department.

Helinski's determination came to fruition with a $2,500 police donation from the association.

The money went toward the purchase of a folding bulletproof shield to aid police responding to an incident such as an active-shooter situation in the borough or a local school.

"I had talked to the chief, and I said, ‘What do you guys need?’" Helinski said.

Helinski said the conversation led him to admire Pritts’ commitment to protecting the community.

"He said, ‘Listen, if there's something at a school, we’re going in. We’re driving a car through the doors if we have to,’" Helinski recalled Pritts’ words.

Helinski said everyone on the association board supported the donation, and Lauren Eicher is researching grant opportunities to purchase a second shield.

Jamie Rankin is the editor of the Mt. Pleasant Journal and the Scottdale Independent-Observer. Reach her at [email protected] or 724-628-2000.