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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The Los Angeles Police Commission today approved the donation of surplus ballistic helmets and vests from the Los Angeles Police Department to a foundation that will deliver the equipment to Ukraine for its army to use in defense against Russia.
The 526 helmets and 378 vests will be donated to the First-In Fire Foundation, which will be responsible for the shipment and delivery to Ukraine.
The department said the items are prepared in pallets and ready for immediate shipping.
``The equipment has no value to the LAPD,'' the department's chief Michel Moore said in a letter to the commission. The equipment was going to be destroyed after exceeding the manufacturer's five-year warranty.
Moore added that Mayor Eric Garcetti ``is aware of this donation and fully supports the transfer of the equipment to aid the Ukrainian people.''
The commission unanimously passed the motion without a discussion.
Russia has been accused of ``apparent war crimes'' against Ukrainian civilians by Human Rights Watch, and President Joe Biden on Monday called Russian killings of civilians in Bucha a ``war crime.''
Los Angeles has sought ways to aid the beleaguered nation. The City Council on March 25 voted to initiate the process to adopt Kyiv as a Los Angeles sister city, which would allow L.A. to send Kyiv retired goods such as ambulances and fire trucks.
The motion, presented by Councilman Joe Buscaino, acknowledges that it is ``literally the last thing on the minds of the leaders of Kyiv'' -- but it calls for initiating the sister city process now as a sign of support for the Ukrainian capital amid Russia's invasion.