UTICA —
The police department’s “armadillo” made an auspicious debut Thursday, rumbling down Grant Street to the applause of roughly 70 local officials and residents.
The police department’s “armadillo” made an auspicious debut Thursday, rumbling down Grant Street to the applause of roughly 70 local officials and residents.
And as soon as the event was over, the heavily armored former Brink’s truck was immediately parked on the 600 block of Plant Street, the first of what Police Chief Mark Williams hopes are many successful missions.
“We hope, with this vehicle, to restore peace in neighborhoods where we’re having problems,” Williams said.If it works, the police department could be getting a second one, said city Councilman James Zecca, D-2. The city is awaiting word from the Brink’s company on whether another truck will be available.
The truck will be used mainly for surveillance at identified drug houses and nuisance areas around the city, but it could also be used in emergencies for situations involving small arms fire or surveillance at large events, Williams said. It has 10 infrared cameras, bullet-proof glass and a number of other protective features.
It cost $11,000, with much of the extensive restoration job – from the painted armadillos to the tires injected with protective foam – donated by local businesses. The original budget was $15,000.
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9 comments:
We need 3 of them here....
The police has become the military. So much for Posse Comitatus
The police need an armored truck to do "surveillance" on NUISANCE properties??? LOL!! If they weren't so afraid of getting beat up or shot, a few foot patrols work wonders. A bullet proof vest, a 9mm with extra ammo and they're STILL afraid to walk among the people....lol...studies have shown, over and over again, that police presence in "bad neighborhoods" reduces crime significantly. And if the "drug houses" have been "identified" why do they need "surveillance"?? Whats THAT going to do (that hasn't been done already)?? Bring the military to the people and I can see some IED's in their future....
Have you ever been to Utica? I have, and I think that this is a great idea. Imagine Salisbury 10 to 15 years from now and you have what is going on there. You need to realize that many of these places are beyond foot patrols.
A whole lot of things went into making Utica what is it today...how many of those houses in those "bad neighborhoods" are rent subsidized? How many are rentals? How many are on the public dole? Does the city maintain the streets, sidewalks, street lamps, etc.? Salsibury is DEFINITELY headed in that direction....we have one of the highest percentages of rental property (as compared to homeownership) in the nation. We have about 5 or 6 slumlords in this town (I am a homeowner, for the record) who between them, have hundreds, if not thousands of rental units. Those houses are allowed to deteriorate (facts speak for themselves--take aride and look around). Take a ride down Delaware Ave, Westover Dr, Tangier St, Williamsport Circle, just to name a few. And there are dozens like them in Salisbury. These slumlords (and THATS what they are) are RICH, but the condition of these rental units contribute GREATLY to crime. Get better tenants, improve the properties, or (God forbid!!!) SELL them to people who will BUY them and LIVE there, which as research shows, improves the neighborhood, as homeowners ( generally speaking) maintain their homes and don't tolerate crime. But as long as they can squeeze $800-1000`a month from these tenants, what do they care about the neighborhood?? Looks good from the deck of their cruise ship...just my opinion, I could be wrong.
11:30, you obviously don't know squat about what it takes to nail a drug house and have it stick in court.
Louise Smith wouldn't put money back in the budget to eliminate police furloughs, even though the money was there.
1:37....You're right....I am a bit confused...the police can stop me at one of those Nazi "checkpoints" when I am doing NOTHING BUT DRIVING IN TOWN, obeying every law, and search me and my car and arrest me for something. but they can "identify" a "drug house" and THAT is a difficult prosecution?? A search done with NO PROBABLE CAUSE sticks in a court of law but its almost impossible to prosecute a known "drug house"? Maybe we could pass a law requiring homeowners to wear a seat belt while in their recliner. Then, the police would be able to kick the door in and make some arrests. And if its a good day, maybe shoot a few people in the back for reaching for the remote.
1:37 PM you obviously don't know squat about what it takes to nail a drug house and have it stick in court.
Obviously, you nor the police do either since they are still there? lol moron.
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