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Title: Portland [Maine] police boost arsenal with 'tank'
Source:
Portland Press Herald
URL Source: http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story_pf.php?id=249898&ac=PHnws
Published: Apr 09, 2009
Author: DAVID HENCH
Post Date: 2009-04-14 20:30:49 by hondo68
Keywords: PoliceState, OverFunded, JackBootedThugs, Tyranny
Views: 443
Comments: 23
The Portland Police Department is packing some heavy armor these days – 10 tons, give or take. The department is in the process of configuring an M113 armored personnel carrier – affectionately referred to as a "tank" – for civilian law enforcement. The track-driven military vehicles were offered for free as surplus property by the Department of Defense last fall, and Portland police got two of them. One will be used for parts, since maintaining the old vehicles is difficult. "A lot of people look at it and say it's too much," said Capt. Ted Ross, head of operations for the department. "The benefit is to reduce the danger and exposure to danger for our officers that could be approaching a hostile or armed confrontation." There is no longer a turret-mounted machine gun, but Portland does plan on equipping the vehicle with a retractable battering ram – just in case officers need to force their way into a barricaded building. "Anything we can do to make the officers and the general public safer, we're willing to do," Ross said. "We hope we never have to use it." Besides, they were free. There are examples of when a department might need a heavily armored vehicle. In Pittsburgh on Saturday, three officers were shot by a man with a high-powered assault rifle while they were responding to a domestic confrontation. When nearby officers sought to rescue two officers injured in the shooting, the only vehicle they had nearby was a standard panel van. They draped body armor over the windshield for protection. The gunman did not fire on the van, but one of the retrieved officers died anyway. Portland decided to apply for the armored personnel carrier last year because its 1980s vintage special reaction team vehicle was on its last legs. "It wasn't all that reliable," said Lt. Gary Rogers, head of the special reaction team. "There were times when we would go to use it and it wouldn't start and we'd leave it in the garage." A new armored police personnel vehicle costs between $185,000 and $200,000, money the department did not have, so the city pursued the M113. "It was obtained with the intent of having something that would stop bullets," Rogers said. "Although it may not be ideal for us in an urban environment, it will stop bullets." The department has since been able to obtain a homeland security grant to refurbish its old vehicle. In addition to a mechanical overhaul, the vehicle cab was affixed to a new, extended dual-wheel chassis, allowing it to be enlarged to carry more people. The refurbished special reaction team vehicle, dubbed "Peacekeeper," fits 10 people in a steel-encased cargo compartment in addition to a driver and a passenger in the front. It has a shielded turret on top and handrails and running boards on each side, which allows officers to use the vehicle's steel-plate sides as protection from gunfire. The back is large enough to load an injured person inside for medical treatment. The vehicle was pressed into service its first day back from the shop in February, when the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency executed a "high-risk" search warrant on Portland Street, at a reputed drug house where guns were present. No shots were fired. The "Peacekeeper" is more suited to an urban environment than the armored personnel carrier because it runs on tires and is therefore more maneuverable. But the M113 is no slouch. The vehicle can do 40 mph and its linked tracks have rubber pads so they won't damage the road. It gets 2.3 miles per gallon. The vehicle is still sporting its Army camouflage paint job, which will be painted over with a more neutral black, and it will require some work before it is ready to hit the streets. Once it is, members of the special reaction team can start training with it and devising scenarios for when it would be useful, said Rogers. The Tucson Police Department has had an armored personnel carrier since 1994 and uses it 12 to 15 times a year for mobile cover, rescue and evacuation.
Doug Jones/Staff Photographer
U.S. Army photo
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#1. To: hondo68 (#0)
Every PD in the country should have 3 or 4 of these, with the turret mounted .50 of course. After all, it is far easier to acquire a few from the PD than the Marines, no? ;)
This guy may be prowling 4um: |
Used Tires Amityville, Babylon, Lindenhurst
#2. To: hondo68 (#0)
To match the non-existent helicopters? I wish I'd thought of that.
The vehicle is still sporting its Army camouflage paint job, which will be painted over with a more neutral black,
The ultimate effect of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools. - Herbert Spencer
#3. To: Critter (#1)
.50 cal? I could make more money with an ice cream truck and a two vehicle health inspector team.
Every PD in the country should have 3 or 4 of these, with the turret mounted .50 of course.
The ultimate effect of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools. - Herbert Spencer
#4. To: Dakmar (#2)
We need to see if our Iraqi brethren will help us brush up on our roadside bomb building skills now that we've graduated from citizen to terrorists.
Mike Flaherty: Yeah, it's been there a long time. I wish I knew which corner.
My Man Godfrey (1936)
#5. To: Esso (#4)
Returning veterans will be best source; try to recruit them into our Buy American cult as they step off the boat.
The ultimate effect of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools. - Herbert Spencer
#6. To: hondo68 (#0)
White in the winter.
The vehicle is still sporting its Army camouflage paint job, which will be painted over with a more neutral black
I've already said too much.
#7. To: MUDDOG (#6)
Join 2x4 Tuesdays & protect your RKBA.
www.righttokeepandbeararms.com
#8. To: hondo68 (#0)
I'll sleep better tonight knowing that the police have my best interests at heart.
"Anything we can do to make the officers and the general public safer, we're willing to do,"
_________________________________________________________________________
"This man is Jesus,” shouted one man, spilling his Guinness as Barack Obama began his inaugural address. “When will he come to Kenya to save us?”
-Schweizerische Schuetzenzeitung (Swiss Shooting Federation) April, 1941
#9. To: randge (#7)
Verdammter Schnee!
I've already said too much.
#10. To: hondo68 (#0)
Mandatory polygamist round-up vehicle. Move 'em up! Move 'em out!
"A lot of people look at it and say it's too much," said Capt. Ted Ross, head of operations for the department. "The benefit is to reduce the danger and exposure to danger for our officers that could be approaching a hostile or armed confrontation."
#11. To: hondo68 (#0)
Po Po has horses too, which aree cheaper to put into the field. ;-) Portland, Oregon is nicknamed 'Little Beirut,' and bush's people did Beaverton nearby of stayed at the airport hotel rather then deal with the local activist army up there. I know why they have these new toys, and the reasons involve controlling people countering the power elite's political or social paradigms, nothing more. I am not surprised to see this. Eugene, Oregon's police are also well trained, equipped and funded, for precisely thee same reasons that prompted this equipment upgrade in Little Beirut.
#12. To: Ferret Mike (#11)
Homeland Security is still being run like the Gestapo. This chould have changed by now, don't you think?
#13. To: MUDDOG (#9)
Ein Elend, Heilandsakrament.
Join 2x4 Tuesdays & protect your RKBA.
www.righttokeepandbeararms.com
#14. To: hondo68 (#0)
It isn't injured citizens they're worried about.
The back is large enough to load an injured
person jackboot inside for medical treatment.
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
#15. To: Esso (#4)
I remember one video (shot by the insurgents) where a multi-ton tank turret was launched hundreds of feet into the air from an IED. That gave me the willies. The American high tech solution to tanks (besides other tanks) is the A-10 Thunderbolt II or "WARTHOG" which has a 30mm cannon barrel that runs nearly the entire length of the airframe and if fired continuously the recoil can actually stall the plane in flight. But, those resourceful Iraqis (and other guerillas who volunteered for the privilege of killing Americans) have found decidedly low tech ways of turning heavy armor into scrap.
We need to see if our Iraqi brethren will help us brush up on our roadside bomb building skills now that we've graduated from citizen to terrorists.
#16. To: Deasy (#12)
The only positive way to deal with 'homeland security' is to get rid of it. There is no way to change this tumor to turn it into an effective, nessesary and needed governmental organ.
#17. To: abraxas (#10)
Great little clip - thanks.
#18. To: ferret mike, WEASEL MIKE (#16)
Have you gotten your Million Snivelin' Civilian OSnitch Corps assignment yet ??
The only positive way to deal with 'homeland security' is to get rid of it. There is no way to change this tumor to turn it into an effective, nessesary and needed governmental organ.
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams 
#19. To: Ferret Mike (#16)
I applaud your stance on the need to get rid of the Homeland Security Department. Would you now join me in calling for the investigation of Janet Nap... and her execution if she is found to be breaking any laws or on any political witch hunts. Thanks in advance ferry. Er Ferret.
The only positive way to deal with 'homeland security' is to get rid of it. There is no way to change this tumor to turn it into an effective, nessesary and needed governmental organ.
#20. To: Rotara (#18)
You know, the forum was never meant to be a clique site for those that only have exactly the same views and worldview as you. Really, the only thing it seems I have for you can only be delivered in person, so stop being so gutless and put meat to your empty death threats. Loving freedom means a total and utter lack of fear of wannabe tyrants like you. I have already invested much time and effort toward trying to be a contributing member of this virtual community. And have done so despite your efforts to end free speech hear. If you really have balls, grab your little gun you threatened me with and come on out and bring it on. Or shut your pie hole.
#21. To: Old Friend (#19)
A ferry conveys, you mean fairy, and I don't care what you say in that regard. I am much more concerned that my girlfriend not think I am gay then what you want to brand me as based merely on my political opinion. Thank you very much, but you are acting like a baby here.
#22. To: ferret mike, POP GOES THE WEASEL, BWAHAHAHAHAHA, FOFLOL (#20)
Is that a "Yes !" or a "No !" ?
Have you gotten your Million Snivelin' Civilian OSnitch Corps assignment yet ??
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
#23. To: Ferret Mike (#21)
Just teasing you dude. How about answering the question.
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