HomeMy WebLinkAbout9-23-14 Bowie-In regards to the _Rescue Vehicle_From:Birdie Bowie
Cc:Agenda
Subject:In regards to the "Rescue Vehicle"
Date:Tuesday, September 23, 2014 12:45:40 PM
To whom it may concern,The Bozeman Police Department has successfully carried out a flagrant lack ofconcern for public opinion and their roles of "public servants". The BEARCAT vehiclehas been in the Bozeman PD's possession since May, unbeknownst to not only thepublic, but also many town "officials". Coincidentally enough, information of thisintimidating vehicle comes to us barely eight weeks after the turmoil in Ferguson,Missouri. This proves incredibly unsettling and unacceptable. We are obviouslycrawling into the beginning stages of what seems to be a police state, even in asomewhat rural Montana community. In a town where the violent crime rate isexponentially lower than most places in the country, there is obviously no need for apiece of what is clearly military equipment. There is a social epidemic in this countryin regards to the police's lack of accountability to those who they are legally inclinedto protect. The obtainment of the BEARCAT is a blatant example. Why weren't weinformed of not only the police's grant application but also the vehicle itself? Howcould a police department who was capable of allowing a violent rapist to walk outtheir doors be competent enough to work a military vehicle? What are the statisticsof violent crime in this area that would bring our public defenders to believe thatthey need a weaponised truck? Regardless of the expensive training involved withthe BEARCAT, there is no need for any police department in this entire nation to bein possession of what is essentially an artillery tank. If direct action is not takenagainst the Bozeman Police Department for their obvious deception to the Bozemancommunity, further action from citizens will ensue to ensure disciplinary actionagainst the militarization of our police force.
Sincerely,Birdie Bowie