Recently I read a number of comments condemning the acquisition of the armored rescue vehicle by our Sheriff”s Department and approved by the Board of Supervisors. Although the vehicle was donated free by Sonoma County some people seem to have a problem with law enforcement having such vehicles.
I would like to share my own opinion based on many years in law enforcement. First this is not a tank it”s an armored vehicle whose purpose is not to drive through your marijuana gardens. This is a rescue vehicle, which can be used to save both deputies and citizens during a critical incident.
This vehicle will replace the M-113 Armored Personnel Carrier, which is a military tracked vehicle. The APC can be very useful in some circumstances but it”s slow and the upkeep and maintenance can be a major issue since it requires a trained track mechanic to keep it up. Special training is needed just to operate it.
The new ARV is a wheeled vehicle capable of reaching speeds up to 65 mph, which makes it easy to deploy anywhere in the county when needed. It does not require special maintenance and can easily be maintained by a diesel mechanic. Anyone can operate this vehicle with just a little practice.
Consider this, we are not safe from a major critical incident of the type seen in other areas just because we are a rural community. What if we should have an active shooter in one of our schools? Do not think for a minute that this could not happen right here in Lake County? Where you may not be able to get in with a regular police car you can get in with this ARV to rescue children and hostages. This is the primary purpose of such vehicles and it has been proven successful many times around the country.
Think back to the Bank of America robbery in North Hollywood in which two heavily armed men had local police outgunned. They were able to shoot right through police cars. LAPD was able to deploy their own ARV however quick thinking officers also commandeered an Armored Truck from Armored Transport to rescue seriously wounded officers and citizens trapped in the line of fire.
Don”t put thumbs down because you may not like the Sheriff or law enforcement in general. This is a good tool when needed and I applaud the Sheriff”s Department”s foresight in planning ahead for any potential disasters and doing it at little or no cost to the taxpayers. Let”s hope this vehicle can remained parked at the sheriffs facility and never be used, but if needed it will be available and we”ll be better for it. This may save your life or the lives of our children.
Jack Baxter
Lakeport
