Small town up in arms over armored transport vehicle purchase

The Keene, NH, police department was going to get its own Lenco BearCat, a vehicle the town’s mayor reportedly described as a “tank.” However, citizens in the town of 23,000 revolted, according to the article, with nearly 100 of them packing a city council meeting in opposition. Critics said the vehicle promoted violence, and cited a promotional video for the BearCat that shows gun-wielding cops using one of the armored trucks to knock down the door of a house and spray tear gas inside.

Never mind if anyone thinks a town of 23,000 really needs an armored truck for its police force. The DHS spending over $285,000 on it is a ridiculous waste of federal money.

Via Instapundit who had a good article on police militarization in Popular Mechanics.