I live in a larger metro area. I assume that there are SWAT teams and lots of access. Moreover, everyone here knows that. That doesn't mean that the average traffic cop utilizes it on a regular basis. Would it make day-to-day policing more effective?

I'll take the (off-topic-ish) bait.. isn't the 1/101 PCH?

That is really it. I'm not against the cops having access to armored personnel carriers, vests, lots of fire power, etc.

I am against them wanting to bring their toys out to play when they aren't needed.

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I'm beginning to think that we are much more fucked than I thought.

The 1 and 101 combine through SB so technically, yes. But the stretch of the 101 through SB proper is off limits to cyclists.

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Civilize the mind, but make savage the body.

- Chinese proverb

The problem with arming the Police with military equipment is that sooner or later they'll wanna use it. The events where a heavy armament is needed and SWAT is unavailable are rare. But civil disobedience is not. And when you get pictures of cops and regular civilians interacting like the photo below, no one wins.

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Remember - It's important to be comfortable in your own skin... because it turns out society frowns on wearing other people's

That would have made a great NWA single sleeve.

Well, you know what happens when you do that ...

Not everyone lives in a "larger metro area," and many "larger metro areas" do not have those resources or equipment.

We are not talking about putting "the average traffic cop" in an up-armored HMMV.

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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went. - Will Rogers

Emery's Third Coast Triathlon | Tri Wisconsin Triathlon Team | Push Endurance | GLWR

Both of those are pure speculation. Particularly the "scared" part. That was a 4chan-originated narrative that came out immediately after the event, and has little substantiation.

Have they used it in an abusive manner? Not a flame; a sincere question.

I'm torn. Because we are, domestically at least, a nation of cops and not soldiers, I want the cops to be able to check any threat. That said, they shouldn't roll around willy nilly in armored vehicles. Similarly, I'm worried by cops in body armor, fatigues, American flag-patched lightweight helmets, and M-4s. I even saw one dressed like that but he also had an OD green shemagh on his shoulders, just above his "POLICE" patch on his chest plate. Those cops look like they never really came back from Iraq or Afghanistan.

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War is god

They park it conspicuously in downtown locations during 4th of July, Fiesta (a local week long festival of sorts), cinco de mayo, New Year's Eve, etc.

Like I said, public intoxication is a problem that apparently requires an armored vehicle.

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Civilize the mind, but make savage the body.

- Chinese proverb

There's gotta be a balance somewhere. I can see an argument that its presence at things like Fiesta is not directed at the drunks, but, rather, it's directed someone(s) thinking they're going to commit violence upon the crowd, like that asshole in Isla Vista in 2014.

On the other hand, I can't imagine that Santa Barbara PD isn't well funded, and can't afford a heavy foot-patrol presence on those days.

Again, I'm torn. I'm more scared of the cops dressed as downrange SF guys than I am of an armored vehicle in the fleet.

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War is god

Yes, because nothing ever happens downtown when masses assemble, like, oh, I dunno, a sniper shooting cops.

That's crazy talk ...

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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went. - Will Rogers

Emery's Third Coast Triathlon | Tri Wisconsin Triathlon Team | Push Endurance | GLWR

Yeah, I'm sure parking an armored car on State Street has deterred numerous sniper attacks over the years. That coupled with our gun laws, no wonder this city is so safe.

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Civilize the mind, but make savage the body.

- Chinese proverb

Most decent sized agencies have the vehicle that has been pictured in this thread. It is a LENCO Bearcat. Officers need such equipment to respond to certain situations. The key is "what/when" situations deserve such equipment, and courts have ruled that even displaying such equipment is a level of "use of force". I have only seen one change since the Obama thing came out and that was FT Hood was dumping a ton of their old AMRAPS and similar armored personal carriers, basically any LEO agency could pick up one and take it home. Just had transport it. That stopped.

We'll never know. But, we have seen first hand what happens to police officers when they are out gunned and unprotected.

Look, I know you hate cops. We get it. But your irrational paranoia is about that last thing that should be setting policy.

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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went. - Will Rogers

Emery's Third Coast Triathlon | Tri Wisconsin Triathlon Team | Push Endurance | GLWR

I don't hate cops.

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Civilize the mind, but make savage the body.

- Chinese proverb

You hide that sentiment very well.

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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went. - Will Rogers

Emery's Third Coast Triathlon | Tri Wisconsin Triathlon Team | Push Endurance | GLWR

I have some good friends who are cops.

You just defend everything Trump does.

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Civilize the mind, but make savage the body.

- Chinese proverb

That must be it ...

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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went. - Will Rogers

Emery's Third Coast Triathlon | Tri Wisconsin Triathlon Team | Push Endurance | GLWR

That's what slowxe told me.

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Civilize the mind, but make savage the body.

- Chinese proverb

That vehicle is almost identical to the APC we used in Charleston County where I worked as a S.W.A.T. medic. It's basically a bullet-resistant all-terrain SUV that's used for keeping people like me close to the danger zone but out of harm's way so we can provide life saving treatment for officers and citizens during hostage situations, live shooter situations (like the one there last week), etc. without unnecessary delay that can cost life and limb.

But it's scary looking, so I guess it should probably go.

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The devil made me do it the first time, second time I done it on my own - W

Her name was Heather Heyer. I've attached a link so you can learn a little bit about her, but I suppose some people will just claim it's fake news.

https://www.nytimes.com/...tesville-victim.html

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3SIXTY5cycling.com

Why cop an attitude? Friend of yours?

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Civilize the mind, but make savage the body.

- Chinese proverb

Because he is morally superior to you and has a heart whereas you have a stone...you insensitive racist, woman hater.

Greg

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If you are a Canuck that engages in gratuitous bashing of the US, you are probably on my Iggy List. So, save your self a bunch of typing a response unless you also feel the need to gratuitously bash me. If so, have fun.
"Don't underestimate Joe's ability to f___ things up" - Barack Obama, 2020

I'm sure he also posted "thoughts and prayers" on his Facebook page. He's so good.

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Civilize the mind, but make savage the body.

- Chinese proverb