Tampa's tank won't roll in Charlotte

Tampa's "Rescue 2" could be utilized during the 2012 Republican National Convention.

Last month, Tampa police dropped eavesdropping drones from its shopping list for next year's Republican National Convention.

But the city's finest will have a tank - or what looks like one.

"Rescue 2" is its name, and it's officially an amphibious rescue vehicle. But, according to a report on Yahoo News, the city's Tactical Response Team rolled it over to the Occupy Tampa protest earlier this month.

According to the city's Web site, this armored personnel carrier is bullet-proof, weighs 12 tons, can hit 60 mph on dry pavement, can go through five feet of water and withstand winds of up to 130 miles per hour.

"It is virtually unstoppable," the Web site says, adding that it was purchased from the military with a federal security grant.

In case you were wondering, there is also a "Rescue 1," which looks more truck-like. Both vehicles were actually designed to transport people, and search and rescue during a natural disaster or terrorist attack.

Still, they look menacing enough that any protester might think twice before going up against either.

And what about Charlotte, host of the 2012 Democratic National Convention? Is it similarly equipped? That's the question we put to CMPD spokesman Rob Tufano.

His answer: "We have no such vehicle."

For more on Tampa’s “Rescue 1” and “Rescue 2.

Tim Funk