Smithtown Councilwoman Joanne Gray (R) is pushing for town employees with dangerous jobs to be issued Kevlar bulletproof vests.

Gray is backing a contract amendment that would provide park rangers, fire marshals, harbor masters and other public safety officials with the vests. However, she says Smithtown Supervisor Patrick Vecchio is standing in the way. Vecchio did not return phone calls from News 12 Long Island, but Gray says the supervisor feels allowing the vests will lead to uniformed safety officers asking to carry guns.

Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President Kelly Brown says the union is not inclined to negotiate for guns, but supports Gray and the amendment. Brown says neither the town nor the employees want to jeopardize personal safety.