HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-6-14 Toresdahl-Retain the BearCatFrom:Karen Toresdahl
To:Agenda
Subject:Retain the BearCat
Date:Sunday, October 05, 2014 9:02:14 PM
Dear Commissioners,
I am writing in support of retaining the BearCat for use by the Special ResponseTeam. My son, Shawn, is a sergeant with the Bozeman Police Department and along time member of the Special Response Team. With other cities within our state adding similar (or larger) vehicles to their fleet,along with our surrounding communities supporting the acquisition; on what basiswould you decide that Bozeman is exempt from such a need?The BearCat will provide the SRT with a layer of protection when they need it most.To suggest that this protection equates to militarization is absurd and reflects a voteof no confidence in our law enforcement community. To deny our dedicatedofficers the BearCat, would be to join the uninformed in deciding what is best forthe community. I would hope, as representatives of Bozeman, that you have takenthe time to truly understand the role of the Special Response Team, ratherthan making your judgments, based on the mockery of the department calls, asreported in the local newspaper. Please set aside the procedural and political issues involved in the acquisition of theBearCat and appreciate the protection it will afford the Special Response Team, asthey serve our community.
Sincerely, Karen Toresdahl