Does the Marin Sheriff's Office Need a $370K Armored Truck?

valeri hood February 17, 2013 at 02:24 am

I think that arming yourselves is not going to help against drones. People need to organize to stop their local police forces from accepting them from 'homeland security'- our tax dollars. There is no way you can protect yourself from them with a gun- same with these vehicles - the crowd control devices include sound and heat weaponry- San Anselmo actually published just what these vehicles were built for in the ross valley reporter when they decided that San Anselmo 'needed' that vehicle. It is worth educating yourself about what your police forces are up to.

valeri hood February 17, 2013 at 02:26 am

Really?? What do they need them 'for'??

Kevin Moore February 17, 2013 at 02:46 am

Valeri, you must think Firemen are really insecure with their big trucks and those long ladder trucks. I honestly can't think of when San Rafael actually used the hook and ladder truck, other than training or 4th of July exhibits. I think San Rafael has two.

Sierra Salin February 17, 2013 at 03:02 am

Alex, at least get the story right It was Judge Haley. Thomas, the asst D.A. lived, although he was wheelchair bound afterward. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marin_County_courthouse_incident
On another hand, why do we spend so much on warfare, and weapons, and what would our whirled look like were we to put our love and our pocketbooks into education and actual "justice" for everything???

Alex Horvath February 17, 2013 at 03:09 am

@Sierra -- thanks for the correction regarding Judge Haley and Asst. D.A. Thomas. I know the history, just mixed up the names.

Alex Horvath February 17, 2013 at 03:54 am

My point, however, about times changing, is still relevant.

Chef Wampum February 17, 2013 at 06:00 am

As folks wake up they are going to be very pissed... thus Homeland Security. Defending the politicians not the people.

Kevin Moore February 17, 2013 at 03:29 pm

Voter
When was the last time you saw a hook and ladder engine used on a fire in Marin? Name the incident. I know their purpose. We have them "just in case". The purpose of an armored truck is to rescue first responders who were shot and approach areas where shooting is ongoing. Watch the LA Bank robbery video.http://youtu.be/N9SWG1f--GY

tony masi February 17, 2013 at 04:24 pm

Purchased with funds specifically designated for anti-terrorism projects. Unfortunately, the Federal Government's definition of "terrorism" has expanded to include acts of political dissent and social activism. However, any discussion about what legally constitutes domestic terrorism must remain secret in the interests of national security.
Here's something not new, but still interesting: We are Preparing for Massive Civil War (please don't let the over-the-top title dissuade you) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXg2WsNCrW4 Here's more recent food for thought: Military Brass Required to Fire on American Civilians? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ynwj33XY664

Hedley Lamarr February 17, 2013 at 05:08 pm

Seems like the vendor conveniently omitted to mention their $368,570 tactical platform can still be defeated with $100 of gasoline that would turn the BearCat into a rotisserie for its occupants. Plus it cannot drive over large obstacles rendering it vulnerable to blockade. It may look like a tank, but according to the manufacturer's website it's really just a Ford 550 wrapped in a lot of armor that makes it a half a million dollar rock under disadvantaged conditions. Yet complicated mechanisms such as Presidential directives, FEMA, and public revenues all string together to provide the illusion that the nth degree is legitimate preparation for events that will probably never even happen in Marin or countless other places that buy these things. It's getting to the point where people are afraid of their own shadows, which is a fertile environment for the security marketplace wrapped in public safety. No wonder government contracts are so popular with the military-industrial complex - it's the best welfare money can buy and seduces people like Sheriff Doyle who believe BearCats are legitimate assets simply because they are subsidized to sweeten the deal. There are plenty of other tactical solutions to protect officers and manage incidents without turning Marin into a crisis looking for an excuse. While I appreciate the daily job law enforcement provides our communities, they are becoming pawns of a larger effort to profit from every scintilla of risk in the name of safety.

Leland Wolfson February 17, 2013 at 07:05 pm

I was walking through the park the other day and was amazed at the police department I was walking past; it looked like a hotel or something, and with only a couple cars parked outside I couldn't imagine all the space of the building was utilized. Plus, somehow they manage to get this bulling when if you walk down the street to Redwood Highschool and go into the main building, the classroom walls are so thin you can hear the class two rooms down. It astounded me. And then a turned the corner and I was faced with not one, two bullet proof, armor plated trucks. This is some sort of joke I thought, when would they ever use these for their intended use? Wasted money, that's all it is.

Alexander Anolik February 17, 2013 at 10:00 pm

Our officers on the strret saving you and I from the crazies who will invade our serene Marin County need every possible weapon to save us and save themselves for their families. The terrorism we see growing around the world will be back as it was for 9/11. If the Jihadists are in a structure and need to be brought down, the Prius will not work . Alex Anolik Sausalito

Jack February 18, 2013 at 12:03 am

Yeah, so if some people who don't look like us ever wander in and lose their minds and become bloodthirsty killers and all walk into the same building at the same time, we can don the camo, grab the assault weapons, crank up the metal, and go blow up the building. Makes sense to me too.

valeri hood February 18, 2013 at 05:12 am

Junk/surplus vehicles that the government is off-loading on civilian populations with our tax dollars- great research and easily verified.

valeri hood February 18, 2013 at 05:14 am

Too bad. I was counting on the Prius to save us. The terrorism as far back as 9/11 and Jihadists- really???

Yvette Wakefield February 18, 2013 at 02:12 pm

I don't believe your statement about having someone pulling a gun and pointing it at you. I think you just made that up to make your point.

Yvette Wakefield February 18, 2013 at 02:18 pm

I too think we should do a recall of Doyle. No one ran against him, yet when he justifies his actions he claims "the people of Marin elected him".

Yvette Wakefield February 18, 2013 at 02:19 pm

You're right.

Yvette Wakefield February 18, 2013 at 02:22 pm

Judge Thomas was known as someone who hated blacks and poor people. That was among the legal community in Marin. I was working at Legal Aid and saw first-hand how he treated people in the courts. Allowing him to work as a judge was criminal in my opinion.

Yvette Wakefield February 18, 2013 at 02:24 pm

I agree

Michael February 18, 2013 at 02:43 pm

how utterly absurd and a waste of our money. More toys for the military types. Next up... Marin just must have some drones to protect us from the skies. We will get the usual lies about them never being armed and just to be used to protect us. I am sick of our governments fear campaign based mostly on their lies.

Dotty LeMieux February 18, 2013 at 03:11 pm

Why does Homeland Security have so much money lying around they can give it out to everyone, willy nilly, in the first place? Something is wrong with the big picture.

valeri hood February 18, 2013 at 03:56 pm

They have access to our tax dollars and are one of the biggest job programs in the US. People hear Homeland Security grants, not knowing where the money actually comes from. It depletes the money we pay in taxes that used to come back as allocations for roads, bridges and other infrastructure. The american public is being entertained, drugged and miseducated and seemingly oblivious to the loss of our public institutions and would rather focus on the element of 'terror' and having big guns, big cars and big drones, as if that is going to save anyone from anything.

Kevin Moore February 18, 2013 at 04:27 pm

Terrorism
Do you remember from the 60's to 90's many experts stated there will never be a large scale terrorist attack within the USA due to the logistics of moving explosives to the USA? It turned out the experts were wrong. We should be defending America instead of defending other nations overseas. Let them chip in for the expense. OPM - Other People's Money. It's not their money. Spend, spend, spend! I see this as a drop in the bucket compared to other stupid spending programs. We have a legalized bribery system in place, we call it "campaign contributions". From what I have read, Solyndra played the game very well, to the tune of $500,000,000 before they went bankrupt months later. The big picture is very broken. Why are we playing "world police" when we have to borrow over a trillion dollars a year? We cleaned out the terrorist camps in Afghanistan, then set up "Nation building of Afghanistan". Maybe we are worried about the effect on Pakistan. This is a fantastic read on how the Feds support spending programs for the War on Drugs. Also, how liberal democrats are often worried about their image more than republicans. http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/how-america-lost-the-war-on-drugs-20110324 I find it interesting that not a single police officer or deputy has posted their opinion. Even from other counties. To me, those are the opinions that count. They go to shootings and unfortunately sometimes need to be evacuated from shootings.

Kim February 19, 2013 at 07:41 am

I'm sure this "Lemco, a Massachusetts defense contractor" needed an I'll scratch your back, you scratch mine moment and that's how we ended up with these absurdities. What's scary to me is that at a time when govt is urging people to "turn in your guns" we go and buy this thing?! What kind of message is this? Sorry, but I'm a firm believer in the 2nd amendment. Let's say the shit does hit the fan one day, who do you think this thing is going to come "rescue"? I can guarantee it won't be you or me.

Kevin Moore February 19, 2013 at 03:45 pm

Yvette, if I was going to make up a story, I'd make up a better one. My point was I have had a gun pulled on me. Not fun. I know bullets go right through windshields.
Does Marin, Sonoma, and the North Bay need several armored trucks? No. One to evacuate wounded officers or get officers to an active shooting might be enough. LA Bank robbery watch at 3:30 4 SWAT officers in a patrol car. http://youtu.be/SVeb_zZdliw

school bus ninja February 23, 2013 at 08:44 pm

I can solve all this bickering right now. EVERYONE gets taxed at 100%. Rich and poor alike. Then everyone will have skin in the game. The money goes to Our Fearless Leader President Obama. He can give the money to whomever he wants. Solyndra, teacher's union, SEIU, Bill Ayers, Reverend Wright, Black Panther Party. Everyone else just STFU. How do you like that plan.

Malik Nidal February 27, 2013 at 04:51 pm

LEAN FORWARD
Aerial drones over your home are good for you and keep you safe from terrorists. Armored cars driving through your bedroom communities also keep you safe. Registering gun owners like sex offenders is necessary for you to be safe. Banning 90% of firearms and magazines will make you safer still. And, the Dept. of Homeland Security has just purchased 2 BILLION rounds of ammunition to deal with any domestic terrorists who might think otherwise. FORWARD, slaves.

tony masi March 9, 2013 at 04:07 pm

Militarization of local police?
http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2013/03/07/a-c-l-u-has-concerns-over-military-weapons-used-by-local-police/

Active Thinker March 16, 2013 at 04:45 pm

So agree...more wasted money. A tank for the Marin Sheriff Dept? Give me a break. How many homeless people could we have feed or lunches for kids at a school could we have bought.It cost so much to maintain it every month as well..
What are we waiting for Red Dawn? This is happening everywhere around the US...Thanks to homeland security and Bush for helping us become like this...