Posted on 09/08/2009 11:50:20 AM PDT by SwinneySwitch
EDINBURG — As the old adage goes, it’s better to have a gun and not need it, than to need a gun and not have it.
With that in mind, say hello to the B.E.A.R. — the Rio Grande Valley’s newest tool to fight potentially violent standoffs and manhunts.
The armor-plated vehicle stands more than 12 feet tall and can carry at least three six-member SWAT teams inside — or rescue 35 schoolchildren.
A detachable battering ram at the front of the vehicle promises to smash through suspected drug cartel members’ reinforced lairs or other structures. Eight openings in the B.E.A.R.’s bulletproof walls and windows give law enforcement the ability to return fire.
The vehicle is designed to withstand armor-piercing rounds, grenades — even roadside bombs like those seen by troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
A turret that rises through the B.E.A.R.’s ceiling even allows officers to mount a machine gun, if needed. “It’s a real neat vehicle,” Hidalgo County Sheriff Lupe Treviño said.
Treviño introduced the vehicle last week. Purchased entirely with federal funds, the Lenco B.E.A.R. — Ballistic Engineered Armored Response vehicle — is the first of its kind for law enforcement agencies south of San Antonio.
The B.E.A.R. came with a $346,000 price tag — more than most homes in the Valley, let alone many RVs driven by Winter Texans.
Treviño defended the purchase, given that no local money was spent — the U.S. Department of Homeland Security gave the sheriff’s office a $1.6 million Operation Stonegarden grant to cover the cost last year. Stonegarden funds go to local law enforcement to fight border violence.
“The people of Hidalgo County did not have to lay down one cent for this,” Treviño said.
Most larger law enforcement agencies across the country have vehicles to quell standoffs, with the B.E.A.R. providing cover when they turn violent. Beyond protecting the cops, the vehicle can also be used to rescue hostages.
Pittsfield, Mass.-based Lenco Industries Inc. has sold about 500 of the B.E.A.R. vehicles and its smaller variant, the BearCat, since its inception in 1999, company president Len Light said.
Lenco’s customers initially came under criticism when the vehicles started rolling out because of their cost, Light said. But in the past decade, no firearm or explosive has breached the Lenco vehicles’ armor.
“These have been lifesavers,” he said.
Armed standoffs are not part of daily life in the Valley, but they have occurred, and with the B.E.A.R., “you know your men, your SWAT team and the public is going to be secure,” the sheriff said.
“Hopefully we’ll never have to run up against that,” Treviño said of armed standoffs. “But, you never know.”
The B.E.A.R. also comes equipped with an infrared camera that will allow SWAT teams to hunt down criminals who may be hiding out in rough terrain, even at night. State and federal helicopter units use the same technology during manhunts along the border.
Treviño said the B.E.A.R. will be available for any law enforcement agency in South Texas to use in hostile situations — should the need arise.
“We’ll even pay for the gas,” he said.
It’s hard to find good editors these days.
“It will likely not be used for border issues, but against American citizens.”
That is correct. If you don’t pay your property taxes they will use these armored vehicles against you.
http://www.swattrucks.com/info/LaCrosseTribune.pdf
“That is correct. If you don’t pay your property taxes they will use these armored vehicles against you.”
All our property really belongs to the State. If you don’t pay your rent to the State for the property they allow you to “own”, they will come for you.
Gotta love the “Land of the Free!”
“You have no idea what it will be used for, I wonder if you are even very familiar with that part of Texas.”
I half grew-up in Harlingen, so wonder all you want.
All our property really belongs to the State. If you don’t pay your rent to the State for the property they allow you to “own”, they will come for you.
Gotta love the “Land of the Free!”
____________
The last remaining Native Americans could not agree with you more.
Then you should be able to imagine that the region may have a use for a bullet resistant transport/rescue vehicle besides using it to oppress law abiding Texans.
“Then you should be able to imagine that the region may have a use for a bullet resistant transport/rescue vehicle besides using it to oppress law abiding Texans.”
I’m confident I have a pretty good handle on what SWAT is often used against.
Well I tried, you are just too buggy for me, you seem to have something on your mind but you aren’t very coherent in getting it out.
“Well I tried, you are just too buggy for me, you seem to have something on your mind but you aren’t very coherent in getting it out.”
What is so “buggy” about an aversion to increasing the power of the state? Others in this thread seem to understand me.
That is a good example of being buggy right there, you don't really think that is what I meant when I said that you are too buggy and incoherent for me, but you pretend to because it is easier for you to write both sides of the conversation.
Nice.
“That is a good example of being buggy right there, you don’t really think that is what I meant when I said that you are too buggy and incoherent for me, but you pretend to because it is easier for you to write both sides of the conversation.”
Perhaps you have not been following the thread and the tenor of your own posts?
I am aware of my posts and how buggy your posts have been that you post to me, your very first post to me was typical of what I called buggy, and they haven’t improved since.
“I am aware of my posts and how buggy your posts have been that you post to me, your very first post to me was typical of what I called buggy, and they haven’t improved since.”
Then our communication problem is unsolvable. Good evening.
Thank you.
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