MONTE VISTA — Monte Vista Community LOR Officer Ivette Atencio said it was a privilege to help the Monte Vista Police Department with safety equipment.
“As a LOR officer, I enjoy hearing people’s stories and helping them as much as I can. When Lt. Michael Martinez reached out to the LOR Foundation with a project idea that focused on law enforcement officer’s health and safety, I understood where he was coming from, and really wanted to help. Hearing about the constant in-person contact that Monte Vista Police Department officers have with the community and how it increases the chance for officers to encounter many viruses and germs, I could see the need for officers to have certain safety items.”
Atencio explained that law enforcement is also at risk for dangerous substances and other contagions that could potentially be spread throughout their office.
“The LOR Foundation was happy to announce that we were able to help the Monte Vista Police Department obtain air purifiers and N-100 masks, to help keep the Monte Vista Police Department healthy and safe,” Atencio said. “Law enforcement officers respond to emergency calls all the time. When officers are responding to emergency calls, or police stops, officers currently use N-95 masks that are only good for one-time use. These types of masks are used as breathing protection for officers, where there is a potential for officers to encounter dangerous substances. N-95 masks are not reusable, but N-100 masks are reusable.”
Atencio stated that because the N-100 masks were reusable they would be an asset for law enforcement to have, rather than using the one-time N-95 masks.
Atencio said that another aspect in Lt. Martinez’s plan was his consideration of air purifiers for substances and other contagions that could be spread through a law enforcement office.
“Law enforcement officers sometimes transport chemical substances that are turned into an evidence department. Due to the transportation of these substances, health risks are higher, as contagions can be spread. Air purifiers would help to mitigate the risk of these contagions inside of a law enforcement building,” she said.
With the help of the LOR Foundation, the Monte Vista Police Department purchased 12 air purifiers and 18 N-100 masks for the department. Atencio said that the LOR Foundation recognizes and understands the importance of keeping people in the community safe and healthy.
“When law enforcement officers are short staffed due to illness, that in turn can have an impact on the community as well,” she said.
Atencio said that it was a pleasure to work with Martinez to help the police department with this safety project.
“We appreciate our law enforcement officers. The LOR Foundation is community driven. We want to help make life in Monte Vista even better, in any way we can,” she said.
The Monte Vista Police Department on its social media page thanked the LOR Foundation for their great donations of air purifiers and fentanyl masks for the department.
