from the movie Stripes , the urban assault vehicle
Armored vehicles at the center of latest Bergen conflict
JULY 20, 2014, 10:01 PM LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, JULY 20, 2014, 10:05 PM
BY JEAN RIMBACH
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD
They were built to protect American soldiers in overseas war zones, multi-ton behemoths encased in enough steel to shield occupants from roadside bombs.
Now, a move to bring two of the surplus armored military vehicles to Bergen County is the latest battleground in a tug of war over law enforcement between the county’s top two elected officials.
Sheriff Michael Saudino has requested two of the vehicles known as MRAPs — “mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles” — from the U.S. Department of Defense under a program that makes them available to law-enforcement agencies for free.
But County Executive Kathleen A. Donovan has tried to hit the brakes, urging the Freeholder Board to rescind a resolution endorsing Saudino’s plans.
“They are combat vehicles,” said Jeanne Baratta, Donovan’s chief of staff. “Why do we need a combat vehicle on the streets of Bergen County?”
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/armored-vehicles-at-the-center-of-latest-bergen-conflict-1.1054456#sthash.cR4KERyx.dpuf
Ridgewood could use one to open up the downtown business district and make room for more parking spaces in a parking building.
Why does any local town need these things?
jjj – These are toys for police departments. The problem is that once they have them, they’ll use them, even if only to collect library fines. If you face a situation that really requires one of these things, call the National Guard — that’s what they’re for.
they love to spend money.