Fighting crime military-style

Fighting crime military-style

www.billingsgazette.net

Yellowstone County Sheriff's Department rolled out its newest weapon Tuesday: a 13-foot-tall, 35,000-pound BEAR.

That's BEAR as in Ballistic Engineered Armored Response vehicle.

The $385,000 vehicle is encased in metal that is meant to withstand bullets. It was purchased with a Homeland Security grant.

Yellowstone County Sheriff's Department rolled out its newest weapon Tuesday: a 13-foot-tall, 35,000-pound BEAR.

That's BEAR as in Ballistic Engineered Armored Response vehicle.

The $385,000 vehicle is encased in metal that is meant to withstand bullets. It was purchased with a Homeland Security grant.

The vehicle will be used by the Sheriff's Office and Billings Police Department in tactical situations such as approaching a barricaded shooter. Manufactured in Massachusetts, one of the goals of the BEAR is for law enforcement to enter a volatile situation in the security of the vehicle, rescue those in need and protect others, and maybe even intimidate the bad guys.

(visit the link for the full news article)

The vehicle doesn't seem to have any offensive capabilities, but I might be wrong.

The B.E.A.R. still looks like a military vehicle, and I wonder if this won't be used also now, at a time when the economy is getting worse and worse, and there are leaks stating the government, and the police departments around the country are getting ready for "law abiding Americans citizens" protesting more for what seems to be a time when many Americans will become poorer, and will not be able to feed their families.

I just find it strange.

I also read from Steve Quayle website the following.

ORANGE ALERT: To all those who have taken an oath to defend the U.S. against all enemies foreign and domestic - BE ADVISED of the following:


Over the next 6 months, law enforcement and the military will be given unlawful and illegal orders to round up and purge all dissidents against the New World Order crowd. The purge is the systematic liquidation of all those identified as a threat against the Globalist Plan. Furthermore, all TEA Party participants have been filmed and their license plate information taken by all FBI Special Agents in charge at all the rallies. Consider the ramifications... Since coming to office, the current regime has devoted massive amounts of money and Federal Spy Agency assets to identifying gun owners and those in the military who still love this Country and take their oath seriously. All former combat Veterans, Special Forces, Green Berets, Delta, and Spec operations personnel must absolutely change your physical location and TELL NO ONE! With DHS having validated the Seek and Destroy Lists, their plans are now being set in motion! Does it not make you furious that men and women in the Armed Forces who have fought all these years for the principles that the Constitutional Republic ONCE Stood for, are now deemed terrorists by the DHS along with Constitutionalists, Christians, gun owners and those who speak out against the foreign destruction of America's economy. Domestic security is now defined as "quell all first amendment rights. Period!" Whether false flag or intentional acts of globalist terror incidents, the events will be orchestrated to blame the "DHS hit list people". Whether you know it or not, by painting conservatives and people who are against the New World Order with such a "terroristic civil rights violating hit piece" you have not only been vilified but have been targeted for extermination. Anyone who would follow orders to take your guns away will not hesitate to BLOW YOU AWAY. History has proven this time and time again! The Psalmist wrote "If the foundations be destroyed what shall the righteous do?" Our only Hope is to repent and cry out to the Living God and seek his personal direction and guidance. While we can not stop the hand of Divine Judgment, we can know our God and do exploits! Write your Senators and Congressmen and women — scream at the top of your lungs, write editorials; do all that you can do legally. But remember, very soon when they initiate their attacks, you will have no one to blame except yourselves while there is still a whisper of time to make a difference for Righteousness Sake.

www.stevequayle.com...

I don't agree with everything Steve says, and the way he portrays much of what is happening, but I cannot shake the feeling that he is right, like many other Americans, and people around the world who know and have gotten visions/messages of what is to come.

I hope nothing happens, but I wish the best to all of you.


www.billingsgazette.net
(visit the link for the full news article)

In recent years other states have added to their arsenals similar B.E.A.R. vehicles, some departments buying more than one of these vehicles.

Oregon State Police S.W.A.T. Lenco B.E.A.R. Armored Vehicle


Oregon State Police Lenco B.E.A.R. Armored S.W.A.T. vehicle on display at the Emergency Services Expo - Jefferson, OR, 2007.

www.flickr.com...

The above is a STATE TROPPER vehicle. How are state troopers going to give chase in these vehicles?

I understand that in some situations police departments have had the need for these. But these are Homeland security issued B.E.A.R. vehicles.

Pittsburgh's armored vehicle use up
Buzz up!By The Associated Press Monday, May 7, 2007
After six people were shot in Homewood in less than 24 hours, Pittsburgh police rolled in with the heavy equipment -- a $250,000 armored truck paid for with Homeland Security money.
No guns or drugs were recovered, and no arrests were made during the sweep in the black, 20-ton vehicle, with its blast-resistant body, armored rotating roof hatch and gunports. But the show of force sent a message.

With scores of police agencies large and small buying armored vehicles, from Lexington to Austin, some criminal justice experts warn their use in fighting everyday crime could do more harm than good and represents a post-9/11 militaristic turn away from the community policing approach to law enforcement promoted in the 1990s.

When the armored truck moved through Homewood late last year, residents came out of their homes to take a look. Some were offended.

"This is really the containment of crime, not the elimination, because to eliminate it you have to address some of the social problems," complained Rashad Byrdsong, a community activist.

Law-enforcement agencies say the growing use of the vehicles, a practice that has its defenders in the academic field of criminal justice, ensures more police have the tools they need to deal with hostage situations, incidents involving heavy gunfire and acts of terrorism. But police are putting the equipment to more routine use, such as delivering warrants to suspects believed to be armed.

Critics say the appearance of armored vehicles in high-crime neighborhoods might only increase tensions, making residents feel under siege, and that money would be better spent elsewhere if the goal is to combat terrorism.

Most departments do not have "a credible, justifiable reason for buying these kinds of vehicles,"but find them appealing because they "tap into that subculture within policing that finds the whole military special-operations model culturally intoxicating," said Peter Kraska, an expert on police militarization.

www.pittsburghlive.com...


[edited to add more sentences from article]

[edit on 20-4-2009 by ElectricUniverse]

Aurora cops loaded with "The BEAR"
The armored vehicle is for protection, officials say. But critics see militarization.
By Carlos Illescas
The Denver Post

AURORA — If terrorists come rumbling down East Alameda Avenue toward City Hall, Aurora will be ready.

The city recently received a new $315,000 Ballistic Engineered Armored Response vehicle, nicknamed by the manufacturer as "The BEAR," that can take on almost any comers that get in its way.

According to its maker, Lenco Armored Vehicles, The BEAR has hardened steel armor plate and ballistic glass, 12 specially designed gunports, a roof hatch with a rotating turret, gunmount platforms and "much more."

Aurora police officials secured The BEAR through a federal grant from the Denver Urban Area Security Initiative, a regional subdivision under Homeland Security. In exchange for the free vehicle, Aurora agreed to maintain it, store it and make it available to other cities in the region when they need it.

"It's going to change the way we do tactics," said Aurora police Lt. Sam McGhee, who coordinates emergency services for the department.

Aurora's acquisition of the newest weapon on crime is a trend in police departments in Colorado and nationwide.

Military-style vehicles, say officials, are better equipped to take on the new breed of criminal — one who is more daring and heavily armed than before.

But critics say police are becoming too militarized with Army-type uniforms, buzz haircuts, heavy weaponry and armored assault vehicles. Police are dressing up and playing war, the critics say, at the expense of the public.

www.denverpost.com...

Though very unnecessary this vehicle is, it is not near as intimidating or unnecessary as the the armored vehicle aquired by Richland County Sheriffs Dept. in South Carollina.

Link to armored vehicle!

This vehicle has a 50 cal. machine gun mounted to it. Now why in the world would a sheriffs office need an armored tank with a mounted 50 cal.?

Menacing BEAR to protect officers
Stanislaus SWAT team buys $270,000 armored vehicle

Sgt. Mike Radford and his fellow SWAT team members said they enjoyed their cross-country drive in their new truck.

The ride was a little bumpy, but what could they expect from the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department's new armored vehicle: a menacing, black, 25,000-pound truck.

"It's built for safety, not for comfort," he said. "(Other drivers) either slowed down to take a look or had a double-take. No one really knows what it is, but they're all amazed by it."

.....................
"When this large, black, loud truck shows up in front of your home with the lights and siren on, you might not want to take a chance," Radford said. "The goal is to end an incident peacefully, that's all we want."

www.modbee.com...

What about when they try to use these vehicles to detain anyone who wants to uphold and defend the Constitution such as gun owners, returning veterans, and any American who is now deemed as a possible terrorist by the DHS and have never done anything wrong except being critical of the government?...

ElectricUniverase, I don't know where you live but where I do, the New York State Police do alot more then just highway patrol. In much of rural upstate NY they handle "regular police work" alongside the county sheriff's departments and municipal police departments. In many cases they also handle SWAT duties as the smaller agencies often don't have their own SWAT teams hence the need for armored vehicles like the BEAR ... example, the SWAT team that responded to the recent shooting in Binghamton was one of the NYSP Mobile Response Teams that are in place throughout the state to respond to riots and mass shootings.

This is not new, such vehicles have been in use by US law enforcement agencies since the SWAT team concept was developed in the 1960s. At one point the NYPD had a surplus Sherman tank with the 75mm gun replaced by a gigantic battering ram, they used it to block off the Brooklyn Bridge on 9/11/2001 but I havent seen it since then.

[edit on 20-4-2009 by ChrisF231]

Originally posted by Mudman21
Though very unnecessary this vehicle is, it is not near as intimidating or unnecessary as the the armored vehicle aquired by Richland County Sheriffs Dept. in South Carollina.

Link to armored vehicle!

This vehicle has a 50 cal. machine gun mounted to it. Now why in the world would a sheriffs office need an armored tank with a mounted 50 cal.?

Obviously for all the second amendment fanatics who have stock piles of automatic weapons in their basement.

... or when bank robbers dawn full suits of armor that conventional weapons can't penetrate..

... or when someone steals a tank and goes on a rampage...

You know, all of those sensational criminal sprees that we watch for a few hours before anything is done.

Originally posted by Mudman21
..........
This vehicle has a 50 cal. machine gun mounted to it. Now why in the world would a sheriffs office need an armored tank with a mounted 50 cal.?

They are getting there, these BEAR vehicles could also be fitted with torreted machine guns. Some other departments have been doing this like you mentioned.

I just found this old article from 2008 from the forums.
www.abovetopsecret.com...

Originally posted by ChrisF231
ElectricUniverase, I don't know where you live but where I do, the New York State Police do alot more then just highway patrol. In much of rural upstate NY they handle "regular police work" alongside the county sheriff's departments and municipal police departments.
.................

It means the police has become "militarized", which would mean the United States is becomeing a POLICE , or MILITARIZED STATE.

I already posted that military experts are worrying about this trend of police militarizing. Do tell me why would every city, even small cities would need these vehicles? The increase of police departments buying these vehicles have increased since 2007 at least, which means they are getting ready by the DHS for something they see happening in the future.

You should read what is happening around the states, and what the DHS is deeming as possible terrorists. This is UnConstitutional.

Originally posted by ElectricUniverse

What about when they try to use these vehicles to detain anyone who wants to uphold and defend the Constitution such as gun owners, returning veterans, and any American who is now deemed as a possible terrorist by the DHS and have never done anything wrong except being critical of the government?...

I would have to point out that these BEAR vehicles handle similarly to their namesake, in that they "lumber"... They are very top heavy, and I did not notice a ton of attention paid to threats originating underneath the vehicle. I don't have the specs, of course...

IED's are doing just fine in the sandbox against better vehicles than this.

Edit: grammar/spelling

[edit on 20/4/09 by cbianchi513]

It just looks like a SWAT van.

Nothing unusual about it.

It's just new and shiny.

I don't even know what this would make news other than local news like we got a new fire truck.

Electric, sorry didn't mean to hijack your post with the link.

I do agree with you that the police are militarized. It is rediculous to see some the the "toys" the police are now equipped with. My brother-in-law is a Marshall in Alabama and I go to the range with him (since he can get me in for free). He has just been issued a nice shiny M4 that has all the bells and whistles (night vision scope, lazer sites, mounted flash light, etc.). This gun has to be around $6000 grand with all the tactical equip. When I saw him pull it out of the case, I said "Jesus, what does a Marshall need with a gun like that?". What he said scared me, he said "when marshall law goes into effect, we'll need it to getcha". He said it laughingly and probably was joking when he said it and didn't realize that I would take it more seriously than what I did.

Originally posted by cbianchi513
...............
IED's are doing just fine in the sandbox against better vehicles than this.

Exactly, which means these are being distributed to all large, and small police departments not for terrorism, but for who the DHS now deems as possible terrorists just if you are against Communism, if you are in favour of the Second Amendment for all Americans citizens to own and bear arms, for the returning veterans, and other Americans from all walks of life that see that America is being transformed into something it was never meant to be.

[edit on 20-4-2009 by ElectricUniverse]

Originally posted by Mudman21
Electric, sorry didn't mean to hijack your post with the link.
................

You didn't hijack the post, you added a good article, and your own experience with your relative.

It is true that it is getting ridiculous, and the police is in fact becoming a militarized force, which the forefathers, and even presidents who realized what has been happening have warned us about.

[edit on 20-4-2009 by ElectricUniverse]

Originally posted by Wildbob77
It just looks like a SWAT van.

Nothing unusual about it.

It's just new and shiny.

I don't even know what this would make news other than local news like we got a new fire truck.

Do you understand what it means the police is getting militarized?

It is becoming a police force not to protect the people anymore, but against all those Americans the DHS now deems as possible terrorists, which include just being critical of the government, being anti-Communist (kind of strange the DHS would mention this type of dictatorship in particular and not others) Americans who want to defend their Second Amendment, and every other right that was given to us, and in general against the REAL Sons, and daughters of the Republic.

Ah the folly of the high-tech minded folks these days, while this thing could probably take a steady stream of 5.56 rounds I could probably take two men with shovels and dig a nice tank trap that will leave it hung up on its well protected drive shaft. I don't get why people get so worried about such things when simple steps can shut these things down in their tracks without even employing dangerous explosives, etc.

Originally posted by Helig
Ah the folly of the high-tech minded folks these days, while this thing could probably take a steady stream of 5.56 rounds I could probably take two men with shovels and dig a nice tank trap that will leave it hung up on its well protected drive shaft. I don't get why people get so worried about such things when simple steps can shut these things down in their tracks without even employing dangerous explosives, etc.

I wonder how you dig a hole on concrete with shovels. ??

Or what about your home? Are you going to move your home out of the way of these things when they come looking for you because you want to defend, and uphold the Constitution of these United States, or because you believe in your right to own, and bear firearms, or because you don't like Communism and you see that Socialist/Communist programs are being implemented in your country?

C'mon, first of all i wasn't even wondering how to disabled them. It is just concerning that the police is becoming part of the military, and now we got Obama's youth's which according to him will be as well trained, as well funded, and as well equiped as the military.



[edit on 21-4-2009 by ElectricUniverse]