- Home
- News Grid
- Local News
- Green Hawk
- Business
- Politics
- School Zone
- Nonprofits
- Missing Pets
- Multimedia
- Arts
- Movies
- Outdoors
- Sports
- News Releases
- Columnists
- Blogs
- Opinions
- Classifieds
- Advertise
- Donate
- Partners
Santa Barbara Police Department Unveils Armored Vehicle
By Paul McCaffrey | 
| Published on 07.13.2010
The Santa Barbara Police Department on Tuesday acquired an armored vehicle, courtesy of a grant provided by the Department of Homeland Security.
The donated 2010 Lenco Bearcat, valued at $242,909.95, was delivered two weeks ago, but on Tuesday was formally accepted by the City Council. No city or county funds were used in the purchase
The vehicle’s primary purpose will be to aid the police department’s SWAT and Crisis Negotiation Response Team (CNRT) with high-risk tactical situations, including hostage situations, barricaded suspects and domestic terrorism.
In addition to protecting officers and allowing the safe rescue of an injured victim, many volatile situations can be peacefully resolved when police approach and communicate directly with an armed, desperate person.
The department unveiled the vehicle to the media and the public on Wednesday. The following are vehicle’s specifications:
» The Bearcat is based on a Ford F-550 Super Heavy Duty truck chassis, weighs 18,000 pounds and is fully enclosed with steel armor. It seats 10, including the driver and front passenger.
» It runs on gasoline, and can be operated by any licensed driver.
» The armor specification is classified, but the vehicle will withstand multiple hits from any available nonmilitary grade munitions.
» The vehicle offers blast protection from many explosive devices.
— Paul McCaffrey is a public information officer for the Santa Barbara Police Department.
Comments
Noozhawk's comments are moderated, but by posting here you accept your responsibility to follow our rules as part of Noozhawk's shared online community. Please keep your comments civil and helpful. Don't attack other readers personally, and do not use vulgar, abusive or discriminatory language. Use the "Report Abuse" link if a comment violates these standards or our Terms of Use.
» on 07.14.10 @ 08:58 AM
gotta protect the cops from all those crazy people who are not allowed to carry guns.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 07.14.10 @ 09:44 AM
It was free! A grant from the homeland security, really! I wonder where they got all that money to protect Santa Barbara from the tea party…I mean “terrorist”! I hope the SBPD can create some real crisis so we can smash some building or spray some tear gas for the next “On Patrol” episode! Thank you for reminding what a bunch of morons we have running things in washington dc….an armored vehicle for crisis negotiations… yeah right!
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 07.14.10 @ 10:41 AM
All the while Rome burns. We won’t secure our borders from militant human and drug traffickers, we make damned sure our law abiding civilian population is unarmed and defenseless, we call mad as hell citizens racists and terrorists and now we have the ultimate weapon of a rouge government, armored clad swat teams to keep the masses in line while their wealth is sucked away. Do people see the trend here? Do you really want to know what comes next? Na, plug yer heads back in the sand and stick yer rumps in the air. 40 years of progressive liberalism and now the Bolsheviks are pounding at the gates. Ooops, sorry the Czar is sacked they are now running the show. Where did that Stalin go?
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 07.14.10 @ 11:08 AM
AN50 I agree with the first part of your comment wholeheartedly, but I blame corporate greed, crony-ism, and deregulation as much or more than liberal progressive policies, although I do believe the legacy costs associated with public employee unions are also a big contributor to the ongoing meltdown we’re experiencing.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 07.14.10 @ 03:51 PM
This makes me sick to my stomach. What an absolute slap in the face to any taxpayer with half a brain. And we wonder why our country is such a mess. Who cares about a $14 trillion dollar national debt, right? Our brilliant elected officials can still ship off a $240,000 armored vehicle to the small town of Santa Barbara for hostage situations? Are you fricken serious?
The sad part is this vehicle may actually be put to use against us when the economy crumbles completely (as it is now), the dollar fails (as major nations stop funding our debt), people begin to riot with no jobs or food, and Big Brother Obama declares Marshall Law. This could NEVER happen in America, Land of the Free….or could it?
Our local elected officials could care less about this tragic symbol of government waste since no “local” tax dollars were used; as if that makes it right! They get to take credit for another gift to their union buddies over at the SBPD.
I don’t know what more to say. I think it’s probably too late to turn things around at this point and people don’t want to face the truth.
I guess we should just all hop on the socialist train and become government bureaucrats. NOTTTTTTT. I’ll never sell my soul to Big Brother. Cheers to Freedom!
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
More Local News »
Authorities Locate SBCC Student Reported Missing
His mother had asked for the public's help finding her 20-year-old 'special needs' son
Red Flag Warning Canceled; Wind Advisory Still in Effect
Sunny skies are expected to give way to some clouds over the weekend
Santa Barbara Breaks Record With High of 86 Degrees
Previous mark for May 23 was 82, set in 1949, according to the National Weather Service
Santa Maria Man Facing Child Molestation Charges
Victim reports being sexually abused over a period of time by the suspect
Police Seek Public’s Help Identifying Suspect in Retail Thefts
Surveillance photo shows person wanted in connection with thefts at two Santa Barbara stores
Weather: Partly Cloudy 52.0º
Search Noozhawk »
