Wharton County commissioners have approved an $8,440 grant application to supplement the aging bulletproof vests of the Wharton County Sheriff’s Department. The department plans to apply for the FY 2023 Bullet Proof Vest Partnership with the Bureau of Justice Assistance, which would cover half the costs of replacing old vests and outfitting new recruits. Bulletproof vests typically last five years, but factors like sweat, rain, and dust contribute to wear and tear. If awarded, the grant would reimburse the WCSO for half the cost of each vest purchased during the grant cycle.