ATLANTA, Nov. 10, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power today announced a $900,000 donation from the Georgia Power Foundation to the Atlanta Police Foundation to benefit the Atlanta Police Department (APD). The donation will be used to purchase tactical body armor including bulletproof vests and helmets for all APD officers to improve officers' ability to safely respond to active shooter events. The Georgia Power Foundation made the donation as a result of a public call for support from the business community by Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed.
The City of Atlanta is matching Georgia Power's donation, for a total of $1.8 million, and will purchase 1,856 vests and helmets. The funding will enable APD to provide helmets and vests to its beat officers for the first time in Department history, with officers from Atlanta Fire Rescue Department (AFRD) and the Department of Corrections (DOC) receiving helmets and vests as well.
Leaders from the company, the mayor's office and Atlanta law enforcement announced the donation today during a special event at Atlanta City Hall.
"Safety is a core value at Georgia Power and we consider law enforcement a true partner in Atlanta and in every Georgia community in which we live, work and serve," said Paul Bowers, chairman, president and CEO of Georgia Power. "We heard Mayor Reed's call for action and we're honored to be able to support the men and women of the APD, enhancing the safety of the officers who work around the clock to protect citizens and visitors to our city."
"Following the tragic events in Dallas, Texas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, I called on our city's business and civic leaders to contribute to the purchase of this essential, potentially life-saving equipment," said Mayor Reed. "Paul Bowers and Georgia Power answered my call. I offer my gratitude to him and to the brave women and men of the Atlanta Police Department, who put their lives on the line to protect ours each day."
"One of the top priorities of the Atlanta Police Department is to increase officer safety. Our officers are on the front lines and must take immediate action if confronted with an active shooter situation," said Chief George N. Turner. "This generous donation from Georgia Power will allow us to equip our officers with an extra layer of protection against high-powered rifles. I want to especially thank Mayor Reed for allocating the matching funding needed to purchase the full set of equipment."
The Georgia Power Foundation
The Georgia Power Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is the third-largest corporate giving foundation in Georgia. The Foundation provides grants to organizations that are enriching communities across the state and is part of Georgia Power's corporate and community relations strategy focusing on Improving Education, Environmental Stewardship, Arts & Culture, and Health & Human Services.
About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.5 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy at rates below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, 21st century coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is consistently recognized by J.D. Power and Associates as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower) and Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower).
Watch the announcement from Atlanta City Hall on Georgia Power's Facebook page.
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SOURCE Georgia Power