BEARCAT, SCARE CAT

BEARCAT SCARECAT
The City of Concord is seriously considering the purchase of a light-armored, heavily armed assault vehicle. Take a deep breath and analyze this . Set aside your political disposition and rationally determine for yourself if this makes sense. Concord is a relatively peaceful city of about 65,000 souls which also happens to be the seat of the state. It does not have any high crimes zones like some larger American cities. This, in modern law enforcement  philosophy, is a testament to good police work, not a justification for decreased policing. The body count, Vietnam method of gauging operational success, or funding justification was soundly rejected in the mid seventies. This vehicle is by very definition a light armored personnel carrier, proper for patrolling pacified occupied areas, or scouting active war zones. One step above a HUMVEE and one very small step below a Bradley APC. It has high speed, powerful propulsion and maneuvering, and will withstand nearly any small arm fire. It is also capable of pouring rapid suppression fire , as well as, more accurate measured shots at stationary or moving targets. It sounds like a lot of military jargon, because that's what it is. There is at least one similar or superior vehicle available for civilian use in Concord, owned by The State Police, with properly trained personnel, readily available. There are dozens of vehicles with similar and superior capabilities scattered throughout the region in military installations. The militarization of civilian police authority is not considered desirable, by any knowledgeable law enforcement or policy making officials. It is alarming to stray from a British-American style police onto a Soviet, or Eastern Block type Militia. It is tempting , and may on the surface seem attractive; but dangerous for a democracy. The level of intimidation imposed on the populace by the sight of this vehicle is not justified for New Hampshire; and some would argue anywhere in The United States. If tyrants around the globe had the ability and know how, this would be patrolling their streets and there would be no opposition. We thrive on opposition and diversity of ideas. This vehicle might prove useful once every twenty years in Concord, or once every year in Los Angeles; but the impact on the free society which we so proudly embrace and promote, is not worth the price. But for the 9-11 attacks against our country, we would have evolved to a much more civilian style of policing. The military style would be replaced by professional civil servant appearance. Civil libertarians of all stripes would not embrace this, as a matter of philosophy and reality. It is hard to fathom where they have gone in Concord. There is no free money anywhere. It is tax dollars, which we bill to our children. The initial cost will be about $260,000.00; reportedly coming from the American tax payers, yet to be born. Concord officials should consider if it is morally justified to have the future Americans pay for what they clearly don't need. There is also the strings attached as with everything from Washington. The city is required to maintain the vehicle, can not sell it or transfer it for several years, train the personnel to use it, constantly update the parts as new technology replaces the old, conduct exercises while paying for all incidental costs, insure it, house it and even share it. Washington often deals with local governments like a crack dealer with schoolchildren. This one would turn Concord into a meth head! I don't live in Concord. For what it's worth, I do care about the next generation and our moral and financial legacy, and the burden precedent we leave behind, even those who will live in Concord.