WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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The City of Bloomington received its new armored truck over the weekend. Residents are invited to see the vehicle first-hand, at the city’s new parking facility on 1611 south Rogers Street, at the former site of Artisan Alley, next to the Warehouse.
The armored vehicle has been the subject of controversy since the city announced its purchase in February. Area residents repeatedly expressed concerns at what they characterized as the militarization of police. Bloomington Police Department Chief Mike Diekhoff has repeatedly stated that a procedure is in place for the deployment of the armored truck, along with its Critical Incident Response Team.
The city has not had an armored vehicle for the Critical Incident Response Team since 2011. Previously, the city used armored bank trucks, but Diekhoff says those vehicles were inadequately protected for the high-risk situations officers deployed in- Diekhoff mentioned in a contentious public meeting in April, that the new armored truck is capable of stopping high-powered rifle rounds, whereas previous bank trucks were not.
Members of the Critical Incident Response Team will be on hand from 5 to 7 tonight, at 16 11 South Rogers, to offer a tour of the new Lenco Bearcat Armored Truck. The purchase reportedly cost a little under a quarter million dollars.
