Sep 19, 2007 10:29 pm US/Eastern
Man Tries Helping Police, One Weapon At A Time
by Rachael Aram
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
We've seen our share of violence here in South Florida in the past few weeks, with cops being gunned down by killers wielding high powered weapons. Some say the police should carry higher powered weapons, and one South Florida businessman is not waiting any longer, offering his own money to the Miami-Dade Police Department.
"Sometimes it feels like you are going to a gunfight with a water pistol," said John Rivera, with the Police Benevolent Association.
It's been less than a week since Miami-Dade Officer Jose Somohano was gunned down trying to take a suspect into custody. In the hours that followed, officers struggled to understand how one of their own had been taken.
The Police Benevolent Association understood however that the gun that killed Somohano was a high powered assault rifle. Miami-Dade officers are issued a 9mm handgun, and it doesn't take a gun connoisseur to tell the difference. That's were Miami businessman Pepy Fuentes comes in to help.
"If you do not provide the tools to individuals who are in charge to protect society, then we are shortchanging ourselves," said Fuentes.
Fuentes is not a cop, but Wednesday afternoon he gave the PBA enough money to buy one high-powered assault rifle: $500.
Fuentes's daughter is married to a Miami-Dade Officer and the thought of her dealing with a tragedy like this is too much.
Many departments in South Florida already issue the kind of weapons that could compete with an AK-47. Broward County issues the AR15 to some deputies, and 65 Hialeah officers carry an assault rifle. The City of Miami is also moving in that direction.
"You may not be an officer, but you may be on the street and if the officers are not prepared, who will protect us?" said Fuentes.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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