Caballeros de Yuma donate active-shooter vests
A mass shooting is not something that the organizers of some of the biggest events in the community want to think about. But with active-shooter situations regularly occurring across the nation, the Caballeros de Yuma have found themselves thinking about it.
The group puts on major events, such as the Midnight at the Oasis and the Colorado River Crossing Balloon Festival. Members have been communicating with the Yuma Police Department in an effort to “upgrade our security posture” at events. That is how they learned that the YPD was trying to outfit their patrol bureau with active-shooter vests that can withstand rifle rounds.
“Because the common vest that officers wear in law enforcement don’t stop that type of round,” explained El Presidente Jeff Ruby to the City Council during an Oct. 15 work session.
The Caballeros also learned that the vendor had upped the price by 40% during the process of acquiring the vests.
“We felt ,we as Caballeros, due to the support we get from the Yuma Police Department along with other entities, that we wanted to assist the department in attaining the vests that they were looking for,” Ruby said.
The group purchased 10 vests for just under $5,000 and plans to buy another 10.
Ruby noted that the Caballeros are “very proud” of this donation. “We hope and believe this is a great asset for your officers on the street. Lord willing, they never use it, but we would want our officers prepared,” he said.
“And especially since this is a high-dollar item, we know it’s hard for any entity to be able to buy them in mass enough for everyone,” he added.
The vests each weigh 20 pounds, significantly more than those they wear now, which weigh about 2-3 pounds and are designed to resist a handgun. The new ballistic vests can resist the weapons typically used in mass shootings, such as rifles, and protect the vital organs front and back.
The Police Department has expressed appreciation for the donation. “They are very important to our department as they add much needed protection for our officers in an active-shooter situation. We are very grateful for the Caballeros’ generous donation of the active-shooter vests,” Sgt. Lori Franklin said.
The ballistic vests are secondary to the vests that police offi
cers and sheriff’s deputies normally wear under their shirts. These vests would be in their vehicles. If they go into an active shooter situation, they would throw them on over their regular duty uniforms so they end up wearing two vests.
The Caballeros continue to upgrade their security operations, “meeting national security protocols for all of our events,” Ruby said, noting that their mission is to “professionally and effectively create and maintain a secure environment for all attendees, vendors, volunteer community service groups and performers.”
He added: “Security plans and procedures as necessary and applicable are coordinated with local law enforcement agencies and emergency medical agencies in assisting City of Yuma and Yuma County departments.”
Ruby also announced that the Caballeros are partnering with the city for the upcoming Tunes and Tacos Festival in April. “We are excited for this new partnership, and we’re hoping to make this event bigger and better for the community,” he said.
Ruby updated the council on the Caballeros’ current activities, plans for the future and other donations. Since the group’s inception in 1962, members have donated $3.6 million, with $600,000 returned directly to the city in improvements to facilities. During the 2018-19 fiscal year, the group donated $147,869 back to the Yuma community.
“Without these community events and our local sponsors, our organization would not be able to support numerous causes and other organizations that ultimately improve the overall quality of life in our great Yuma community,” Ruby said.
The Caballeros not only sponsor events; they also have a scholarship program to help Yuma-area students further their college education. In 2018-19, the group gave out $39,000 in scholarships. This year the organization plans to award more than $45,000.
“None of this would be possible without the support of City of Yuma and Yuma County,” Ruby said.
Mayor Doug Nicholls thanked the Caballeros for “this really exciting new partnership” which he said would bring the Tunes and Tacos Festival to the “next level.” He also expressed appreciation for the donation of ballistic vests and “for supporting the men and women who go where nobody wants to go.”