Turns out Tampa isn't the only 2012 convention host city whose police have big armored vehicles.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police has two of them.
Neither the Dragoon nor the BEAR (see photo) looks as tank-like as Tampa's Rescue 2. And neither of the wheeled CMPD vehicles is amphibious -- Rescue 2 is that, too.
But make no mistake: The CMPD has a pair of mean-looking machines.
BEAR (short for Balistic Engineered Armored Response & Rescue) is an armored personnel carrier. It was was purchased back in 2006 for $305,000 through the Urban Area Security Initiative, said CMPD spokesman Rob Tufano.
CMPD has had the Dragoon since 2000 -- the force got it free through the Law Enforcement Services program. It was capable of being amphibious when it was new, but not now. It's mostly used these days for high threat situations, as a back-up to the more modern BEAR.
Tampa's Rescue 2 recently rumbled over to an Occupy Tampa protest, according to Yahoo News. That was seen by some as a possible dry run to next year's Republican National Convention, which is expected to draw a lot of protesters to Tampa.
Those planning the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte are expecting quite a few protesters to show up here, too.
Is it possible CMPD's two armored vehicles will be used during convention week next September?
Tufano sent the CMPD's standard statement, which doesn't answer our question.
The statement: "The goal of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is to develop a seamless security plan that will create a secure environment for the community and event participants. There is a tremendous amount of advance planning and coordination in the areas of venue security, air space security, training, communications and credentialing. The means, methods and specific resources to carry out protective responsibilities will not be discussed publicly in advance, but the CMPD and our partners will work to ensure a safe environment."
Tim Funk
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45 comments:
Lame, we need a tank. How can we be world class without a tank.
They said we did not have on a few days ago and now we have two.
I knew we did but why did they say no?
We have had one for the last several years?
Just replace the hornet's nest with a swastika. Truth in advertising, y'know.
Much ado about nothing. Who cares we have 2 armored vehicles. We are having the DNC. They might use it. They might not. Who cares. Really...
@December 1, 2011 12:51 PM
You are seriously likening CMPD to Nazi's? Shameful and baseless.
@CharlotteIn2012
The author of the article said we didn't have any armored vehicles the other day. CMPD did not make any such statement.
The Police State has arrived. So much for freedom....
@December 1, 2011 12:48 PM
It isn't a tank. It is an armored vehicle. it is NOT equipped with lethal weapons, tracks, or a rocket launcher like a tank. It simply has armor. They use it to respond to bomb threats, hostage situations, or standoffs. There have been plenty of times these vehicles were used to maintain public safety when the public or police were under immediate threat of gunfire, bmbs, or fire. You can't be world class if you can't maintain the safety during a riot or armed assault.
Anon 12:51, Have you been paying attention. Of course we have become a police state. Here are just a few examples Warrentless wire tapping, DUI checkpoints, TSA agents at airports (soon to be at train stations and malls), the president issuing kill orders for US citizens abroad. Tyranny has come to the USA. Vote them all out in 2012!
December 1, 2011 1:22 PM
Police state? Prime Example The Occupy Charlotte people have been camped out at city hall for 2 months with minimal interference from the police. Ridiculous. The police have an armored vehicle if they need it. When have they used it to drive into a crowd of people? Have they responded to bombs, bomb threats, hostage standoffs with them . Yes. Oh gosh it is the end of freedom. (sarc)
They gone need more than one a them things in Charlotte, next years...
http://www2.tbo.com/news/pasco/2011/dec/01/paclasso1-swat-rolls-out-armored-vehicle-ar-328579/
we got ripped off...ours looks like a brinks truck painted black. These guys in the link got an awesome one for a substantially smaller sticker price...and didnt have to use grant money to buy it.
@December 1, 2011 1:29 PM
Lay off the LSD. An armored car owned by CMPD is not evidence of a police state.
You just listed a bunch of example of things the federal government is involved in that have nothing to do with CMPD or an armored vehicle being used for illegal search and seizure. I mean the only thing related to cmpd that you mentioned was DUI's. Ok they have DUI checkpoints and an Armored car they use in hostage standoffs. Maybe you feel like CMPD has created a police state... But anyway, I don't see how them having an armored car really indicates they are doing anything to create a police state, where everywher you turn the government is watching and you can't do anything you would normally do if they didn't have an armored car
I have seen this thing rolling down Albemarle Road in the middle of rush hour traffic. I have pictures on my android.
Impressive machine, but why do we need something like that.
We wont defend our borders but by god we will assault our citizens when the cops are too afraid to go knock on the door, or think that they are on an episode of cops
@December 1, 2011 1:37 PM
This is an armored vehicle. It has no weapons. Please provide an example of how and when it was used to "assault our citizens". Regarding the TV show cops. They are filming cops in real life therefore police in real life have the same vehicles. These vehicles are used for all kinds of tactical missions. i.e. armed hostages, bombs, and bomb threats. I'm sure you wouldn't want to walk up to a door in hostage situation without the benefit of one of these vehicles. Maybe when you are willing to put your life on the line it will matter what you think.
Don't worry your FEMA Camp is ready for you. Quilty until proven innocent is the new USA.
Aren't we so lucky to have the DNC in Charlotte? Just look at all of the great things it's bringing to our city. HA!
@December 1, 2011 2:05 PM
We have had these vehicles for years. The DNC has nothing to do with them. It isn't even clear if they will use them for the DNC. Read the article... I don't see why having an armored vehicle is a bad thing. I think it is a good thing for police to be able to respond to emergencies and standoff situations with a secure vehicle.
@December 1, 2011 2:04 PM
The comment about FEMA and the armored truck make no sesne. This isn't an assault vehicle or a FEMA vehicle. It is owned by CMPD. Not sure how it is going to cause a flood that decimates the region or destroy all of the homes in the region.
@1:17 Sorry you are right what was said by CMPD was: And what about Charlotte, host of the 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."
Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/11/29/2812107/charlotte-to-tampa-no-tanks-were.html#storylink=misearch#ixzz1fJQBmGTk
So I guess not telling about the two command, assault, peace keeping or whatever else they want to name them we had to the reporter for the story was just good business practice like in law.
After all they might even be a different color and the like which would make the we have no such vehicle comment accurate.
It is good to know you have to ask the right questions to get anything thing from CMPD.
Thanks.
CMPD has created a police state in Charlotte. Don't worry though, they are all too damn busy setting up traffic checks rather than worrying about rapes, murders, muggings, and home invasions. They are supposed to serve and protect the citzens. That is certainly not true in this town. Anyone who says different is a liar, and you know it.
You are gonna need both of 'em...Stupid for having the convention here...Did I mention it's stupid to have the convention here? Get ready for all the Anarchists, Occupiers,Murderers, and Rapists. You city officials who made this happen are idiots...Did I mention STUPID?
I think they should outfit it to look like a ice cream truck or a UPS van.
@Charlotte in 2012
The CMPD spokesman was referring to Orlando's amphibious armored vehicle which has tank tracks. CMPD's vehicle is not amphibious and does not run on tank tracks. Therfore it is not similarly equipped as he stated.
@December 1, 2011 3:43 PM
The DNC is typically pretty safe and not volatile. I don't expect much to change
@DECEMBER 1, 2011 3:18 PM
Who cares. I go all over the place in Charlotte with not rouble from the police. The police arrest people all the time for rape, murder, and home invasion. Just go look at the arrest website. Not sure what that has to do with them having an armored vehicle. Oh it has nothing to do with the fact that they have an armored vehicle...
These vehicles are frequently used to rescue officers who have been shot, without risking other officers lives. And what could be wrong with catching DUI's? DUI's kill innocent people every day. Unless, of course,....... YOU drive while drunk!
@4:07 I understand that the CMPD is 100 percent in the clear. They do not have a vehicle like the one mentioned. They only have two different types.
I will keep that in mind when I am on a jury and listen to a CMPD officer. They must be sure to say just what is correct.
Say I asked you if you knew they time you could answer me, yes.
Oh wait you could answer me no as you have not look at your watch.
In fact you could just say you are not sure as you do not understand my concept of time.
So many things come into play in this day and age, do they not with people being so honest and precise.
Such a great time to be here in Charlotte and Mecklenburg or to be an American.
@4.28 That sounds exciting.
When has that happened and you said that they are used to drag out shot officers.
So it is sad we do not hear about them being shot and these vehicles used.
I did not know this was happening so much in Charlotte and like a lot of other people am mad the CMPD does no let us know about these shootings as well as the Observer not reporting them.
Oh wait maybe the Observer did not ask in the right way has an officer been shot today?
How should they ask to get the answers from CMPD, since you know this so well?
The protesters better select their protesting sites carefully. I guarantee you that if President Obama is in the vicinity and they get rowdy the Secret service will not be nice and use pepper spray. Seen it first hand.
@juliancuthbertson They will corral off areas that are called demonstration or what ever they desire to make them sound better.
These are near enough but still far away enough to be of any disruption to the events.
You will see that most likely it will be the parking lot over on the side.
They do this to extend the police state powers during these events.
"CharlotteIn2012 said...
They do this to extend the police state powers during these events.
I see you're still spouting the same old drivel, aren't you?
Police state? Right.
@6.05 Yes funny how that keeps going around especially when they do it every time they want to control something.
Good to see you agree.
Geez guys, don't you people know the difference between a tank and an armored truck. Believe me, on the battlefield there is a huge difference. Of course, other than the amphibious part I'm not sure why Tampa would need such a vehicle as it seems like a tank would be overkill against us common citizens. I mean its not like we are walking around carrying grenades and RPGs?
CharlotteIn2012
They used the vehicles during the Uptown riot at the transportation center
1984
END THE FED.
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@December 2, 2011 12:16 AM
This has nothing to do with the Federal Treasury dept. It is an armored car used by the CMPD swat team. It is unarmed. They use it for standoffs with armed suspects and bomb response
@December 2, 2011 12:14 AM
Did ypu actually read 1984? I didn't think so.
END THE FED refers to The Federal Reserve, which is destroying the purchasing power of the dollar. And yes the Fed and the police state go hand in hand. The government has been setting up a police grid to prepare for the dollars demise. Be prepared. This is going to get ugly folks.
BRAVE NEW WORLD.
Come on people.. these vehicles are nothing more than a Brinks truck in black. CMPD is not a closet Nazi group.
But I have to say that there HAS been a creeping militarization of PDs across the country..
From response, tactics and training to equipment selection, it seems that we are seeing para-military forces being created rather than civil law enforcement agencies.
It's a tendency of all organizations to indulge in "mission-creep" and to want to assume more and greater roles for themselves. All PDs like fancy hardware - it's inherent in the line of business. Now it seems they are going into the aerial surveillance drone business in a big way.
But just like fancy school buildings don't magically produce good students - so the fancy hardware does not produce justice.
I have to question if the toys result in a better Civilian LEO.
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