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A photograph of the Bearcat anti-terrorism vehicle, which will be acquired by the police force in Keene, N.H. under a $286,000 federal grant for high-terror threat areas.
The city of Keene, N.H., population 23,000, nestled in a valley in the state's southwest corner, may not be the first place that comes to mind as a terrorism target, but this summer it will take delivery on a $286,000 armored vehicle, compliments of the Department of Homeland Security.
The Lenco "BearCat," fitted with thermal imaging, radiation and explosive gas detection systems, gun mounts and rotating hatch is but one example of the kind of quasi-military equipment that has been acquired by local and state law enforcement agencies through billions of dollars worth of federal grant money in the last decade.
"The specialized-mission CBRNE/WMD rescue vehicle will help to guard against a terrorist or (chemical, biological, nuclear, and enhanced conventional weapons/weapons of mass destruction) incident," said the successful federal grant application filed by the city.
The application noted that Keene hosts several events that draw large crowds each year -- such as the annual Pumpkin Festival and Clarence DeMar Marathon -- lies on major corridor used by trucks carrying hazardous materials and is a designated evacuation area if there is a nuclear accident at Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant in Vernon, Vt. It also pointed out that the city is situated on two flood prone rivers, and Bearcats have proven useful for rescues and patrols during natural disasters.
The Keene City Council voted on Dec. 15 to accept the Homeland Security grant for the equipment as requested by the police. Approval was unsurprising, said City Manager John MacLean.
"The council saw it like I did," said MacLean, "as a legitimate request ... to make safe our department and our community by the use of a too. … It didn’t occur to everybody how big an issue it would be for other reasons."
MacLean was referring to swift and furious opposition that surfaced soon after the vote, from the liberal wing of the college town, from Libertarian and Tea Party members and from activists from as far away as New Mexico, according to local politicians.
"Almost the next day, the calls started to come into the radio station, the newspaper was inundated with letters to the editor for the next several weeks, extraordinary because the deal was supposed to be done," said Terry Clark, a councilman who had voted against using the grant. "There was so much about this issue not to like."
Clark opposed the use of the grant because he thought it wrong to for the U.S. government to lavish money on military grade equipment at the same time it is making deep cuts in funding for education and other mandated programs — costs that he says are now falling on local property taxpayers.
"I thought it was just unconscionable," he said. "The city of Keene doesn’t have to enable these people. We can tell them 'no, we don’t think this is a good way to spend money."
Clark lobbied for the City Council to hold public discussion and then take a new vote. It did so this month, then again voted to approve the Bearcat purchase, though by fewer votes this time.
Across the country — in major cities, but also in relatively rural settings — police have added armored vehicles, hazmat protection, body armor, riot gear, drones and other military grade gear to their toolboxes in the decade since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
According to a recent report by the Center for Investigative Reporting, the federal government has doled out some $34 billion in grants like the one approved for the Keene police force.
When some of that gear was visibly employed for crowd control during the recent Occupy protests, it fueled controversy about how the equipment was to be used.
But some law enforcers say the equipment provides a sense of security.
In Bossier Parish, La., the sheriff’s department acquired a Ballistic Armored Tactical Transport -- a heavily armored vehicle that has gun ports and a turret -- in 2009 with federal grant money. The vehicle was a tool for the SWAT team to use in the event of a high-threat situation, according to public information officer Bill Davis.
"If you’ve got an active shooter and he has some heavy weaponry we need to be one step ahead," said Davis.
The BATT has been used only for training so far, he said, comparing it tp the handguns officers carry.
"People want to know if the cavalry needs to be called out, we’re coming. ... We are no longer Mayberry," he added, referring to the northwest Louisiana parish. "This is the fastest growing parish in Louisiana and with that growth is the potential of more crime in the area, and we want to be prepared."
In Keene, MacLean, the city manager, said the debate over the BearCat purchase opened some eyes on both sides of the debate.
"I think we have two sets of conversations going, both of which are legitimate," he said. "The (police) chief said it could save lives… If this has potential to save lives, and the lives of the people they work with, why wouldn’t they (acquire it)? But it’s been brought into a separate conversation about militarization of the police."
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One step closer to a military state and war with the local militias.
Well, Obama did say in 2008 that he wanted a "civilian army" that was just as well funded as the military. Can't wait for that. I guess that get's rolled out in his second term that he thinks is his. Perhaps he's preparing to play both sides against the middle as a ploy to cause a major uprising? Surely that is not part of his long-term plan?? (although this tactic is mentioned numerous times in several of the books he is very well studied in)
Keene last useless demonstration was to allow nudity in the downtown park. The place is loaded with out of work and/or refuse to work losers.
But the truck is a bit of a overkill.
R. Scalzo: well with the nudists you also have:
You know that those Pumpkin Festivals are recruiting places for terrorists, I mean *OMG* they probably have people dressed up in sheets with small holes for their eyes, pointy hats and faces with pointy noses and warts, or in army uniforms. And they recruit children to go from door to door threatening people to give them treats or they will be tricked.
Gotta spend almost $300,000 to keep that kind of activity under control, particularly in a hot bed of terrorism like Keene NH.
/sarcasm/off.
The worst part of this is that the federal goverment actually approved this BS. It would be one thing for a major port city or major city to get one or two of these (not that they really need them either), but a city of 23,000 in the middle of no-where ? Who was the person who actually approved this.
@texan
No, this is just welfare for the military/industrial/prison complex, nothing more.
It is unneeded and unnecessary.
WOW If you can't say anything good... keep your mouth shut days are over.Hate and disinformation rules.
Better to not need it and have it than to need it and not have it.
Though it would have made more sense to put it in NYC or LA or Atlanta....You know. A city terrorists have actually heard. of. LOL
Actually, one step closer to bankruptcy. Every single one of these "grants" for local governments for anything is not what the federal government supposed to be doing. If Keene wants a tank, let them buy one. Don't get me wrong, Keene is a beautiful place and I love going there, but what the heck is the federal government doing wasting my money, in contravention of the Constitution, to buy them this? Let's face it, the words "homeland security" now means "nazi state."
Eat your hearts out New Hampshire. We heard someone was smoking marijuana here in our town, and we got an F-18. We wanted an aircraft carrier for speeders on the local lake, but Wyoming got that, so we're going to have to settle for a destroyer.
The City Commissioners are working on getting a couple of gunships, and there's talk of a couple of nukes.
How the hell are you gonna protect and serve when you're outmanned and outgunned? Terrorists are not to be underestimated. They're everywhere. Everywhere, I tell ya.
Military type equipment is being purchased in cities all over the country, not for any terrorist threats, but for a spring uprising within.
The irony is, the equipment is going to be used against the very people who pay for it.
Hey give them a break it was one of Obamanations only shovel ready projects. Wonder where it was built, out of the country like his big new campaign bus.
ST, your tin-foil hat appears to be coming loose...
Nope, these "armored all terrain deer killers" are actually made in the U.S.
I would like to know which pot of money this came out of from the DHS....after all....the DHS did spend $ 30,000,000,000 taxpayer money on a Boeing Virtual Fence FAILURE.
Maybe it was part of Mr. Obama's "gotta have it now to keep the unemployment at or below 8%" Stimulus #1 at a cost of $ 862,000,000,000 (does not include interest paid to China) which he laughed at and said "the Shovel Ready jobs were NOT SO shovel ready".
Pumpkin Festival? Do you think the Green Goblin will show with his pumpkin grenades?
Debi - I think you hit the nail on the head. This is an attempt to "gear up" to stop another American Revolution.
Why, of course it's more important for the government to use taxpayer money to fund such tanks and other armored vehicles than to pay down the debt or actually help citizens in need. Much better to buy these monstrosities than to help pensioners who haven't seen a Social Security cost of living raise in three years.
Misuse of pumpkins can result in serious injury and terrorist threats are happening in the least likely places so yes, we need to protect ourselves from the least prepossessing and harmless events and objects out there. Nothing like a gun turret or two to stop possible pumpkin related malfeasance.
Funny how the same crowd that yowls about $1 of food stamp money supposedly going to an undeserving recipient runs out to defend this sort of crap.
First thing I thought of when I saw this monster was Tiananmen Square.
1989 Tiananmen Square Protests - YouTube
@ RealAmericansFirst - The Tea Party objected to this as well. (Try reading the article.)
We will enjoy using these items on anyone that infringes upon the rights of the American citizen. I can see them rolling towards Washington now. This a waste of tax dollars again.
Just about time to start putting together home made RPG's and pie tin claymores.
Even the odds.
:D
@dirp101
Perhaps there's something going on in that city of 23,000 that you don't know about.
Read the "testimonials" on Lenco's website:
Mayberry Bas***ds are using these things against retired citizens for property tax enforcement.
armoredtrucks.com/news/LaCrosseTribune.pdf
This is just another example of the power of the military-industrial complex in America. They control congress and the US government. What a sick example of the misplaced priorities of our government...right down to the local level. We've beaten plowshares into swords and our children are suffering for it...this city council should have seen the absurdity of this request and filed a complaint not a request for the equipment. If they have any sense they will sell the darn thing and put the money into their schools budget. Then perhaps what they did would make sense.
Maybe they're trying to protect the community in the event a rogue element invades the Punkin' Chunkin' contest. The "terrorists" might turn their WMD toward the city and let loose a barrage of orange globes.
Wow. I have seen armored vehicles utilized in the slums of Rio de Janeiro but in New Hampshire..... Hmmm 1984....
It has been a police state for a long time
Police don't need this kind of military equipment - that's what we have the National Guard for. I'll bet the police are becoming better equipped than they are.
I live in Keene, New Hampshire, and the line of reasoning that says this tank is necessary to quell ANYTHING, is pure and unadulterated horses--t.
This teeny little nothing of a town is in the middle of a forest with more moose and bears than human beings. It's ABSURD!
Incidentally, R. Scalzo, you obviously have not a clue what you're talking about regarding the state of Keene's workforce, so why don't you SHUT UP?
You guys are all missing the BIG picture. This "Bearcat" vehicle is absolutely vital to stem the coming Zombie Apocalypse. You all snort in derision now, but when the dead begin to walk, you'll be glad the town has this monstrosity to push through the horde. Gotta get to the mall somehow...
Fear Times...
It would appear the majority of Keene's citizenry opposed the armored car acquisition, but a school shooting two weeks before in nearby Walpole, NH and the lock down of four of Keene's schools one week before a vote of reconsideration was taken, may have influenced a majority of city councilors to vote again for the BearCat. Four city councilors, including three newly elected bravely voted against the armored car. Parents of school children are afraid for the safety of their children. Fear rules the nation in these times. The times are, as Dylan opined, a changing.
Hon. Steven W Lindsey
state rep
Ches-3
Keene, NH
(This legislator was against the armored car, making a speech titled "The Machine in our Garden" before the city council.)
Mike S.-2262427, The problem is if they have it and don't use it, at some point they will have to justify the cost. So they'll find some use for it and I guarantee it won't be pretty. Our fledgling socialist government is slowly but inexorably building a private military for no other purpose then to maintain order within it's borders. And the definition of disorder is slowly expanding to include more and more groups. For those of you that refuse to see it, America the democratic republic is dying. And rising in it's ashes is a socialist regime. If Obama is re-elected, i don't expect he'll ever leave office.
I'd love to go 4 wheeling in that thing with all the flashers and siren on and drive it like I stole it.
I think it's time to start looking at property north of the border. Life in Canada is beginning to sound real good to me.
Hehe, "armored deer killer."
It's good to know that DHS is taking the necessary steps to keep those terrorist Canadians at bay.
I have heard of NH problems with somoli muslim asylum seekers. Many cities are preparing for race riots that will happen when obuma fails in 2012.
How to recognize zombies:
B.ad smell
L.acks intellect
A.ttacks mindlessly
C.reates nothing
K.nown to prefer attacking in packs
S.preads disease
Very cute steveaae,
But here's an ideal for the smart ones like you, My first thought was "Take It" and that's what will happen.
steveaae, your an idiot
girl#20 - that cracked me up! I don't live in Keene, but I've actually been there a couple times on business, and would have to agree. It's a tiny little place in the proverbial "middle of nowhere." The notion that they need something this is indeed absurd.
Its all about protecting us from 'terrorrists', right?
If only the definition of 'terrorrist' didn't keep expanding and stretching, it might even make me feel safer instead on making me nervous about the direction we are heading in as a country.
You are not supposed to notice, when your dead.
The terrorists we need the most protection from are the ones wearing the badges and wanting to patrol around in vehicles like these so they can beat, falsely arrest and shoot us without reprisals.
Why is it that I am not getting beaten or falsely arrested by these marauding gangs of police with free reign?
I guess I've just been lucky so far.
CTViking - you have never been to those wild and crazy pumpkin parties. Wow...
Fartfire daniel sounds like the police took away his marijuana, or he got caught driving drunk, so he's just gonna be bitter and rant, lol.
I would imagine, based on your screen name - Connecticut Viking - that you're not necessarily the demographic being targeted. I think Daniel's probably a bit over the top, but you should remember viking that the ONLY entity on earth powerful enough to take away the freedom of the American people is our own federal government. WE the PEOPLE created the government to serve, not to be the masters. Every law enforcement officer and government official at ANY level takes the same oath - to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. Many of them - particularly the NYPD - seem to have forgotten that oath.
Yep, keep making stupid jokes and see if you are still laughing after seeing this:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNWZZaPripQ
www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGmFYSuo4uM&feature=channel
I think many people may be overreacting on this issue. Yes I do feel that these are unnecessary expenditures that local police probably do not need. However, I think most police would have a hard time participating in an attempt to quash a rebellion if one were to begin. If this really is some sort of attempt to prepare the police to assist in some type of military coup I believe the 'puppetmasters' may be in for a bit of a surprise. The very 'tools' they have subsidized may in fact be used in defense of the populace. Contrary to popular belief many cops are just like you and I. I am not a cop, but I have family members who are and they will back me and my fellow citizens long before they back the government.
CTViking, Don't worry, I'm sure the goon squads will get to you eventually. So sit back, relax and don't j-walk.
I heard that the FBI is hearing chatter that the first place terrorists want to strike is the Clarence DeMar marathon.
That is a much more obvious choice than the Pentagon or Statue of Liberty.
A lot of them were already jack booted thugs. Now they are militarized thugs, armed to the teeth, and ready to use surveillance and force on anyone they don't agree with. Peaceful protesters are citizens of country (soon to be police state), not terrorists.
Don't you have a park to invade?
Nah, all the parks are now protected from irate citizens. Just think how quickly one can quell an unruly volleyball game with one of those heavily armored and gun turreted vehicles. How many gallons does it get to the mile, I wonder?
If it saves over 3,000 lives at $300,000, each saved life is $1,000. Lot less than the Democrats $500,000 per job stimulus
Wouldn't it be cool if the next time Muslim terrorists target OWS camps?
They would be happy to die as long as it is for Muslim's free speech.
the federal government has doled out some $34 billion in grants like the one approved for the Keene police force.
$34 billion? that is it? I am sure we could cut some more from education and welfare programs to boost that number. I am glad to see that the government is spending its borrowed money wisely!
In California the teachers make on average over $70,ooo a year while their schooling has dropped from #1 in the US to # 40.
Giving the schools more money has not worked. Instead layers and layers of Progressives find jobs in schools. Cut the layers of human progressive waste and hire people that are good at life and their career. At least 2-3 layers of Progressives will lose their cushy $70k jobs.
$70,000 a year in CA is about $45,000 for the rest of the country.
Have you ever lived in CA?
Do you not know what the cost of living is there?
When I was offered a job in L.A. my pay was to be automatically increased by 35% from what I was making in my Mid-West position.
"You will never find a pumpkin patch more sincere than this one." - Linus Van Pelt
The higher percentage is to be able to get closer to effect rescues in a natural disaster. There are increased threats due to chemical releases. Militarized threats can also be a factor. The unit can reduce risk for law enforcement officers with the increase in the threat environment. Law enforcement has to change with the environment they've got to operate in. The unit can also be utilized by other agencies-at need.
"Mayberry's" been obsoleted long long ago-if it ever operated out of 'never never land'. I'm sure most folks would prefer that environment but the world doesn't operate to an individual's preference.
Yes, absolutely. Huge increases in terroristic threats happen daily in small towns of less than thirty thousand, every day the numbers and threat increases. Soon the Homeland Security budget will exceed the military budget which should make us all much, much safer from the threat of terrorism. Now, who will protect us from an authoritarian government? How many folks can withstand an onslaught of tanklike vehicles bearing down on them? Not too many, right?
First thing I thought of when I saw this monster was Tiananmen Square.
In the event of a chemical or biological contamination (accidental or not) a vehicle like this could protect the officers as they drive through it. But they could not dismount, in the cloud, to rescue someone - they would contaminate the interior of the vehicle when re-entering it. If they are wearing protective gear, they wouldn't need a special vehicle - just use the Chief's SUV and decontaminate (or bury) it after the run. Much cheaper.
stoney, it's just another part of the "commercial" to create and incite hysteria in the US, because most Americans are getting fed up with the federal government in one way or another.
Sell to a "neighborhood watch capitain"
http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nbc-news/46735121/#46735121
Florida state attorney's office takes over the case of a neighborhood watch captain who shot an unarmed teen. WESH's Gail Paschall Brown reports.
You mean the self defense where the cops didnt arrest the captian as he was obviously attacked by a thug that chimped out. So the captian AXED the thug a question and the thug chimped out.
"According to an incident report, Zimmerman, 28, called police that night,
reporting that he saw a suspicious person. Sanford police dispatched a patrol
car, but before that officer arrived, other 911 callers began to phone the
agency, complaining of a fight."
What a waste of money.
The local cops have an armored assault vehicle that always draws a crowd at the fair...and cost 100K a year of taxpayer money to maintain...but we're safer right?
.. and this from a state motto of " Live free or Die" Extremist no matter which side of the line they are Suck. Need to change motto to "Ship of Fools"
Opposition vehicle to intimidate "Live Free or Die"?
Within a few months, this 'thing' will be sitting dusty and broken down in a remote corner of their vehicle depot. They won't be able to maintain it, pay for its gas or find a legitimate use for it.
I'd say a very accurate assessment. Too often the politicians are wined and dined by the reps from these companies who convince them it's needed. Or some politician has a stake in the company.
No doubt the department could have used a lot of other equipment more suited for everyday use than this.
I beg to differ. In due time they will find a way to use this vehicle to usurp the citizenry's fourth amendment rights.
I say we just delete the fourth amendment from our bill of rights once and for all. It's there only for decoration after all.
BTW, I heard yesterday that government agencies are petitioning the FAA for unfettered permission to fly drones in US airspace. How this relates to this article is that courts have already ruled that visual search is not in violation of the 4th ("[t]he Fourth Amendment protection of the home has never been extended to require law enforcement officers to shield their eyes when passing by a home on public thoroughfares"); which means they are perfectly within their rights to fly a drone and "see" over your fence for any violations of the law.
What is it going to take in order to keep the government out of citizen's business...enclosing our backyards?
And why is government allowed to declare airspace as private, but not the citizens?
Hey, American people, I'd once again tell you to wake up...but it's too late.
This is insanity gone insane.
I hope that terd on wheels is fire proof.
What the hell happened to community policing? These guys are acting like an army of occupation.
These cities hire the former US occupation soldiers back from Iraq, and the feds give away armored cars. This one in Keene, NH is small compared to others bought for larger cities bult on Ford F550 chassis. Trough feeders galore.
America land of the terrorist , Militarized Police , drones overhead and F.E.M.A detention camps , Obama 2012 and his 1% Corporate takeover , Oil for Blood Country seems like ......
You think this just started 3 years ago? Bush and the GOP put it in high gear in 2002, and it has not slowed down.
Anytime you have a 'progressive president' you have a decrease in citizen's rights while the government grows exponentially. Obama, Clinton, Bush I & II, hell, all of them in my lifetime with the exception of Ike have been progressive. I begin to believe that progressive is another term for oppressive.
Since the thugs with badges seem to want to start an arms race, it looks like time for citizens to upgrade their armaments too. Roadside IEDs seem to be on the menu. The cop thugs had better start barracking in their protected firebases as well. If they come out into the community without their armor while off duty, they are likely to get a bullet in the back of the head. They want to act like an army of occupation, they'll get treated like one.
Bif talk, John. How about sending that to your local paper "letters to the editor". Signed, of course
and they want to take my guns away, not a chance!
Live free or die.........I guess they mean it. Funny, the state motto actually means keep government out of our lives unless it means spending government money for a $285k dust collector.
Used to be a nice college town, apparently things have turned for the worst. What a shame.
I doubt this was something the public voted on...just corrupted officials....seeing how Keene is the hotbead of the Free Stater Movement...I'm not surprised. The strongest citizen militia assembly in the united state's stronghold suddenly finds themselves faced with this tony stark-esque monster....hm.......Since one of the goals of the Free State Movement is to get enoguh people to relocate to NH (specifically KEENE) to take over the goverment by protests and voter bombardment...it really isn't surprisng at all the the KPD is a tad nervous. (research the Free Stater project if you want. It's all there on their site)
Obama told us he wanted a civilian army. He's getting one under the guise of "Homeland Security" which was the most fascist of names that could ever had been given to a cabinet level department. And that travesty, along with the "Patriot Act", took place under Bush.
Our federal government is becoming annoyed with us. All of a sudden they realize that we are angry and restive. Their solution is for them to provide our own local cops, our neighbors, with military grade hardware. And we sit by and watch. And we re-elect the same group of people who don't give a damn about us.
They're all clever slogans and comercials to keep the fear and hysteria going.
"Homeland Security" "Patriot Act" "National Security" "National Defense" "Support Our Troops" "War on Terror" (war is terror by the way, kind of contradictory) "War on Drugs"
I have heard of NH problems with somoli muslim asylum seekers. Many cities are preparing for race riots that will happen when obuma fails in 2012.
How to recognize zombies:
B.ad smell
L.acks intellect
A.ttacks mindlessly
C.reates nothing
K.nown to prefer attacking in packs
S.preads disease
Yea, I bet the local police will have a blast driving this around. They will not care about the low gas milage or high maintenance costs. Next they will need to mount a 50 cal. machine gun on top of it so they can practice shooting pumpkins. What a waste of our federal tax money, but the unfortunate part is this is only the tip of the iceberg.
What is needed out here is a municipal sized supply of tissue paper, for these teardrops.
Did you all wake together, yesterday? Stop whining the petty, there is a "man" with the presence and intelligence of a "Palin" courting your votes in sieg heil primaries, cloaked like the rest of the religous leaders from the land of the sand dunes. What you whine of, ye hath sowed!
Since the 'big wars' armored vehicles have probably killed more unarmed civilians than military combatants.
Thank You FEMA for BLOWING more of our Tax Dollars..... Do not forget to add the loan interest on the $ 286,000 armored vehicle we have borrowed from some foreign country ..... This sh~t really has to end.....