Davis, California
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Area: 9.919 sq miles (25.69 km²)
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Weather: 89°F (32°C), Wind N at 2 mph (3 km/h), 31% Humidity
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Local time: Saturday 11:50 AM
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This sleepy Northern California town received a free surplus military vehicle described as, "well maintained and low-mileage" and the Police Chief was ecstatic as he told the city council the $700,000 armored car is the “perfect vehicle to perform rescues of victims and potential victims during active shooter incidents.”
But the City Council wasn't quite as excited with this little gift and this is what the Mayor had to say on the subject.
“This thing has a turret — it’s the kind of thing that is used in Afghanistan and Iraq,” said Dan Wolk, the mayor. “Our community is the kind of community that is not going to take well to having this kind of vehicle. We are not a crime-ridden city.”
The mayor added: “When it comes to help from Washington we, like most communities, have a long wish list. But a tank, or MRAP, or whatever you choose to call it, is not on that list.”
Here is the link to the full story that ran in the New York Times - 'Police Armored Vehicle is Unwelcome in California College Town.
The militarization of city police forces is really getting out of hand in this country and hopefully we will be hearing 'Just Say No' from more city councils in the future.
- Area: 9.919 sq miles (25.69 km²)
- Weather: 89°F (32°C), Wind N at 2 mph (3 km/h), 31% Humidity
- Local time: Saturday 11:50 AM
- This sleepy Northern California town received a free surplus military vehicle described as, "well maintained and low-mileage" and the Police Chief was ecstatic as he told the city council the $700,000 armored car is the “perfect vehicle to perform rescues of victims and potential victims during active shooter incidents.”But the City Council wasn't quite as excited with this little gift and this is what the Mayor had to say on the subject.“This thing has a turret — it’s the kind of thing that is used in Afghanistan and Iraq,” said Dan Wolk, the mayor. “Our community is the kind of community that is not going to take well to having this kind of vehicle. We are not a crime-ridden city.”The mayor added: “When it comes to help from Washington we, like most communities, have a long wish list. But a tank, or MRAP, or whatever you choose to call it, is not on that list.”Here is the link to the full story that ran in the New York Times - 'Police Armored Vehicle is Unwelcome in California College Town.The militarization of city police forces is really getting out of hand in this country and hopefully we will be hearing 'Just Say No' from more city councils in the future.
You know, it's particularly scary because so many police officers have done tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Put them in a tank and they're convinced they're back on the battlefield. It's good to see some locales fighting back, but they're in the minority. Tanks in civilian areas of the US. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteAnd that brings up another subject about the military mentality entering the police forces. It is very sad what the men that serve go through. We talk about the death numbers and the physically injured but not enough time is spent on the mental aspects of coming back from war. It should almost be mandatory that the men/women under go a period of detoxification and adjustment to family life again. To put them to work in a pseudo-military police environment is not good for anyone.
ReplyDelete