HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-12-20 Public Comment - S. Willoughby - Bozeman PD BearcatFrom:Willoughby, Shannon
To:Agenda
Subject:Bozeman PD BearCat
Date:Saturday, June 13, 2020 9:21:58 AM
Because we have witnessed militarized police officers nationwide repeatedly attacking
peaceful protestors, we believe it is time to demilitarize our own police force. The Bozeman
Police are not part of a military unit, they are our neighbors. They are civilians, just like us. Therefore, we ask the City Commission, in concert with the Bozeman Police department, to
divest itself of the BearCat it purchased in 2014 (notably without the blessing of thecommission).
Ownership of this vehicle clearly goes against the Police department’s stated objectives to:
“Provide assistance to those who cannot care for themselves or those in danger of physicalharm.” “ Develop positive programs, in partnership with the members of our community, to
address public safety issues through community engagement and outreach.” We wereunable to find a detailed budget of the Bozeman PD, so it is unclear how much the use and
upkeep of this vehicle costs the citizens of Bozeman each year.
The Police force is effective when they are seen as a legitimate use of force, and are
trusted by the people they are sworn to serve and protect. By owning and using a military
grade BearCat vehicle, an unnecessary wedge is driven between the members of thepolice department and the rest of the civilian population. We are all each other’s neighbors,
police officers included.
The Bozeman PD has a moral obligation to the people of Bozeman to fully demilitarize its
all civilian workforce. To this end, we also ask that the City Commision determine whether
or not the Bozeman PD has procured any other items through the 1033 program, andreport back to the citizens of Bozeman on your findings within 6 months.
MichaelAnne Beighley
Shannon WilloughbyRJ Hatten
Toyia HattenBecca Belou
Kristen BrileyaRob Campbell
Jen CampbellDan Center
Fiona BuckleyPascale Hickman
Billy G. SmithMichelle Maskiell
Shannon D. Willoughby, Ph. D.
MUS Regents Teaching Scholar
Department of Physics
MSU Bozeman
224 Barnard Hall
Bozeman, MT 59717
406.994.1673