“Vest-A-Cop” event today in Toms River

Now you have an even better excuse to eat pizza today. The 25th annual "Vest-A-Cop" fundraiser for the Toms River Police Department is being held 4 to 9 p.m. at Pizza Hut on Route 37 East to help cover the cost of bulletproof vests.

Several of the department's police officers will take off their badges and take food orders. Toms River Police Chief Mitchell A. Little joked his officers will try not to mess up too much while waiting on customers.

"It's great for the public to see us on our downside and just having a good time with you," said Little.

The bulletproof vests are mandatory, a requirement that makes the department eligible for state and federal grant funding, according to Little.

"The policy now is if you're in uniform, and you're doing a patrol function, you have to wear this," he said. The body armor is worn over a T-shirt under a uniform.

"Each vest is $1,000. So, it gets very expensive because we have 160 officers and these vests are warrantied for five years. Now, they don't just completely fall apart at five years, they can last longer, but we don't want to take that chance," Little said.

Little pointed out Toms River has 25 SWAT Team members that require a different type of vest which provides fuller body coverage and is more expensive, ranging between about $1500 to $2,000 a piece. Vests also are needed for the department's canine unit.

The "Vest-A-Cop" program has raised between $10,000 and $20,000 in past years, according to Little.

Police Officers working as Pizza Hut servers will be wearing T-shirts designed by one of their fellow cops.

100 percent of the tips an officer receives will go directly to the "Vest-A-Cop" fund, and Pizza Hut donates a portion of its sales.

To avoid long waits for food this year, Little pointed out Pizza Hut customers will be able to order take-out and eat outside at picnic tables that will be set up. He said it will be more of a party too, with a DJ, a dunk tank, and police cars and fire trucks on display.

Little praised Pizza Hut and its staff for providing the officers with such an opportunity. He revealed he even received a $100 tip during one of the past events.

"We have such good people in town. We have people that barely can afford to live and they're coming in there and just giving us whatever they can give us, and we just appreciate it so much," added Little.