Nearly $300,000 has been awarded to help the New York State Police and local law enforcement agencies purchase 708 new bulletproof vests.

The New York Attorney General’s office announced the funding on Thursday.

The money comes from civil and criminal forfeitures and is intended to make up for a reduction in federal funding for vests.

The New York State Police will use its $112,000 share of the funds to help pay for 277 vests. Police in Utica and Syracuse will also get a portion of the money to purchase new vests for their officers.

Authorities say 71 officers in New York have been fatally shot in the line of duty since 1984.

(AP)