HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-7-14 Balaz-October 6 action item 5_ _Bearcat_ armored vehcileFrom:Gary Balaz
To:Agenda
Subject:October 6 action item 5: "Bearcat" armored vehcile
Date:Monday, October 06, 2014 5:58:24 PM
Dear Commission Members,
I strongly oppose approval of this item.
It was irresponsible of the manager and police chief to plan this, apply for this grant,and spring it on you and the public. This may have been inspired by those withwhom they dealt - the feds. It is business as usual for the federal bureaucracy toact now and worry about money, and Congress, later.
It is unnecessary. Our police department was not clamoring for this vehicle (at leastnot publicly) - until the feds suggested it. Now, all of a sudden, it is a "necessity"? The types of shooting situations that law enforcement has to deal with are insidebuildings or in other places where this type of vehicle is not going to protect theofficers who have to deal with the threat. This type of vehicle is to protect soldiersin war zones, from snipers and IEDs. It won't do any good for a hostage or activeshooter in a building situation.
It is not free. I really don't appreciate the dishonesty of local governments acceptingfederal "grants" and saying "it doesn't cost us anything." Yes, it does, at least thetaxpayers. That's part of how we got our 18 trillion dollar deficit.
It projects the wrong image - and I believe this is part of the motivation behind it. There is an "us vs. them" mentality creeping into the Bozeman Police Department. It can be seen in the excessive number of officers, their body language, the waythey follow and glare, and in the increasing lack of discretion - and lack of respect -for the citizens.
There is increasing federal co-option of local law enforcement and this is veryworrisome. Our state statutes are being repealed by federal regulation. The fedshave unclean hands, with their wholesale spying on everyone, lying about it, theattorney general bragging he has a right to execute any American Citizen with trialor evidence, IRS targeting and many other illicit activities. The list is long. Thesepeople are NOT to be trusted, they are not our friends, and our P.D. should not belying down with them.
Every one of these "free gifts" comes with strings attached. See above.
Please vote this down.
Thank you,Gary Balaz329 North Hunters Way