From the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature
Thu Feb 11 2016
Santa Cruz Police Department Releases BearCat Photos
Cops Show-Off $251,000 Lenco Armored Vehicle whose Purchase was Protested Widely
The Santa Cruz Police Department released photos of the BearCat armored attack vehicle they purchased in 2015 despite large protests by the public against its purchase. The attack truck, manufactured by Lenco, cost $251,000 and was bought with grants from the Department of Homeland Security.
The SCPD blog entry about the BearCat has intentionally toned down their description of the military style vehicle that has attack features: "The truck, based on a shortened Ford F-550 chassis, has a smooth ride despite its size. It can go as fast as most standard cars. About a dozen officers can fit inside." They describe it as a "rescue" vehicle, and the word rescue is printed in large letters on the BearCat itself.
In March of 2015, the organization Santa Cruz Resistance Against Militarization (SCRAM!) released the following statement shortly before the city council meeting where the BearCat would be re-approved for purchase: "SCRAM! has been organizing grassroots action to compel the City Council to rescind approval for the BEARCAT purchase and to develop policies that prevent military equipment from flowing into law enforcement."
Read More with Photos
Previous Coverage: Rallies Opposing Police Militarization Become Fixture at Santa Cruz City Council Meetings | Activists Say Santa Cruz Police Lied to Secure $250,000 Armored Vehicle Purchase | Santa Cruz Residents Continue to Call for Police to "Give Back the BearCat" | Protesters Shut Down City Council Meeting after Purchase of Armored Vehicle Approved
The SCPD blog entry about the BearCat has intentionally toned down their description of the military style vehicle that has attack features: "The truck, based on a shortened Ford F-550 chassis, has a smooth ride despite its size. It can go as fast as most standard cars. About a dozen officers can fit inside." They describe it as a "rescue" vehicle, and the word rescue is printed in large letters on the BearCat itself.
In March of 2015, the organization Santa Cruz Resistance Against Militarization (SCRAM!) released the following statement shortly before the city council meeting where the BearCat would be re-approved for purchase: "SCRAM! has been organizing grassroots action to compel the City Council to rescind approval for the BEARCAT purchase and to develop policies that prevent military equipment from flowing into law enforcement."
Read More with Photos
Previous Coverage: Rallies Opposing Police Militarization Become Fixture at Santa Cruz City Council Meetings | Activists Say Santa Cruz Police Lied to Secure $250,000 Armored Vehicle Purchase | Santa Cruz Residents Continue to Call for Police to "Give Back the BearCat" | Protesters Shut Down City Council Meeting after Purchase of Armored Vehicle Approved
2024-04-09
Deal Described as One of the Most Significant Urban Land Back Victories in US History
Front Page
| Environment & Forest Defense
| Racial Justice
| East Bay2024-03-20
Victory! EFF Helps Indybay Resist San Francisco Police Warrant and Gag Order
Front Page
| Police State & Prisons
| Media Activism & Independent Media
| San Francisco2024-02-09
Catholic Anti-Choice Marchers Get an Earful from Abortion Rights Activists in San Francisco
Front Page
| Health, Housing & Public Services
| Womyn
| San Francisco
| South Bay
| U.S.2024-01-10
Wall of Shipping Containers Intended to Keep the Public Out of People's Park
Front Page
| Police State & Prisons
| Environment & Forest Defense
| Global Justice & Anti-Capitalism
| East Bay
| California2023-12-08
Largest Ever Pro-Palestine Marches in NorCal Demand End to US Aid for Israel's War on Gaza
Front Page
| Anti-War
| Central Valley
| San Francisco
| South Bay
| Peninsula
| U.S.
| International
| Palestine
| Santa Cruz Indymedia2023-10-31
Three Activists Detained at Climate Protest for Crossing Beale Air Force Base Gate
Front Page
| Environment & Forest Defense
| Anti-War
| Central Valley
| California
| U.S.2023-09-29
California Climate Justice Actions in Coordination with Massive New York City March
Front Page
| Environment & Forest Defense
| Central Valley
| California2023-08-19
Environmentalists Speak Out Against Airport Expansion as Climate Disasters Accelerate
Environment & Forest Defense
| East Bay2023-08-12
Starbucks Bus Tour Stops in San Francisco, Rallies with Allies to Support Unionization
Labor & Workers
| San Francisco
| Peninsula
| California
| U.S.2023-07-19
Halt to Fossil Fuel Funding Demanded as Wells Fargo Operations Shut Down
Environment & Forest Defense
| Global Justice & Anti-Capitalism
| San Francisco
| U.S.2023-07-13
Demonstrations Wrack France, Boiling Over After Police Murder of Youth
Police State & Prisons
| Health, Housing & Public Services
| Global Justice & Anti-Capitalism
| LGBTI / Queer
| International
| Government & Elections
| Immigrant Rights
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!
Get Involved
If you'd like to help with maintaining or developing the website, contact us.
Publish
Publish your stories and upcoming events on Indybay.
Topics
More
Search Indybay's Archives
Advanced Search
►
▼
IMC Network