Author: Jenni

With the help of the community, the Oconto County Law Enforcement Executive Group (OCLEEG) was able to make the job of law enforcement in the county a little bit safer. OCLEEG sought help from the community to purchase bullet resistant gear to protect our law enforcement officers in the event they must face a suspect with a rifle. OCLEEG represents all the law enforcement agencies in Oconto County.

Oconto County Law Enforcement agencies have been training and exercising together to respond to and control active threats such as active shooter. Our law enforcement officers were not equipped with the ballistic protective gear necessary to counter the dangerous threats presented by an active shooter. Because the law enforcement officers in Oconto County did not have the financial resources to purchase this equipment, they sought assistance to purchase vests and helmets to provide protection to officers when they are called to respond to armed encounters.

The goal was to equip every officer in Oconto County with a rifle rated vest and a helmet. OCLEEG purchased this equipment for the deputies and officers at approximately $1000 for each officer.

Fifty vests and helmets were purchased with 28 going to the Oconto County Sheriff’s Office, 9 to Oconto PD, 7 to Oconto Falls PD, 4 to Gillett PD, 2 to Lena PD, and 1 to Suring PD.

The Bond Foundation contributed $30,000 to this project.

On April 17, 2018, St. Anthony School was awarded a $3,400 grant from the Leon H. & Clymene M. Bond Foundation. St. Anthony School is a small Catholic School in Oconto Falls, WI. Since 1913, St. Anthony has been offering quality, Catholic education to families in the Oconto County area. They are presently the last remaining Catholic School in Oconto County, and so remain an intricate part of the community.

The grant funds helped purchase school uniforms for the 2018/2019 school year. This benefitted everyone, including students, parents and staff. Studies and experience show uniforms encourage better classroom behavior, improve overall school demeanor, and instruct students in how to dress appropriately in public. Most of all, they instill in the children that their person is not shaped by the latest fashion trends, but rather their character.