MRAP for university campus

[Doug M.]

That's a big campus, and almost certainly has mutual aid obligations with local LE in addition to their own problems. I suspect that their crime problems are similar to the ones that pervaded my alma later (U/Illinois), and that was a real hole. The crime on campus and in the adjacent areas of the two cities was the highest in the county and among the worst in the state. What amazes me is that a command officer with a campus LE agency actually had the right mindset to realize the potential need in the first place, AND had the ability make the purchase.

 

[venomballistics]

think of how many college chicks ya could pick up ... err umm .. arrest .. err um .. perhapse either would do ... with a ride like that

 

[Jessie]

As far as other schools, depts., etc. wanting one also, that's already old news. Been happening for a long time. I live in a small rural town and THEY have a swat team with all the accouterments.
Again, a lot of it is due to having available grants and if you don't use them, they're gone. That's fine but as was mentioned here, many don't consider the consequences of maintenance, upkeep and all. As for bridges not supporting the weight....well heck, they'll just up the taxes and build new ones that will. Unintended consequences. Most of us have to consider them, not the government.

 

[Xtasy]

The maintain cost of those vehicles are extremely high and can;t be performed by regular mechanics. Even in Afghanistan specialized contractors are working on those vehicles because the mechanics don't have the required knowledge.

That's a big campus, and almost certainly has mutual aid obligations with local LE in addition to their own problems. I suspect that their crime problems are similar to the ones that pervaded my alma later (U/Illinois), and that was a real hole. The crime on campus and in the adjacent areas of the two cities was the highest in the county and among the worst in the state. What amazes me is that a command officer with a campus LE agency actually had the right mindset to realize the potential need in the first place, AND had the ability make the purchase.

And the MRAP will exactly do what against crime? We use those vehicles in Afghanistan with .50 to fight Taliban, now those war machines are supposed to 'fight' crime in our own country?
If the MRAP fails, and with the right mindset the LE agency should get a M1A1?

Or can the MRAP be used to fight evil student protests like the one at Kent State?

I agree that we need heavy equipment if we respond to an extraordinary situation.
I would prefer that LE would obtain such a vehicle from the military for the short period it is really needed and not to play Afghanistan in our own backyards whenever they wish.

Unless of course I have missed that the U.S are a war zone ?

 

[Andy Griffith]

Can someone please explain me why exactly the Ohio State University department of public safety needs such a vehicle?

I'm throwing down the red flag.

NO reason they should have one, period.

 

[venomballistics]

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - "Ohio" (1970) Kent State University Shooting 43 Years Ago - YouTube
of all the fun in the news .. this one has me thinking the hardest.
Its a whole lot of budget to allocate for a brainfart if it is that ... so it's probably not just some bad idea come to fruitation
Between this and other tidbits of headscratch worthy material... I also recall an oriental proverb, intended as a curse.
"May you live in interesting times, and may you gain recognition of authority"
With the NSA thing .. theres no telling who all has the second part ... but its hard to deny the first

 

[ChuckS1]

I'm throwing down the red flag.

NO reason they should have one, period.

Well, once they start getting the repair and fuel bills, I bet they change their minds pretty quick!

 

[venomballistics]

Well, once they start getting the repair and fuel bills, I bet they change their minds pretty quick!

I'd think any department would be familiar with vehicle maintenance costs .. at least enough so to enter it into consideration

 

[Engineer1911]

Think winter time potholes -- that MRAP will make real potholes. The vehicles electrical system is 24 volt I believe. Getting a new starter when the original failed at -25° F could be an exciting time for Procurement right up until the replacement price is quoted. Does the vehicle have a passenger compartment heater? Engineers can be a real pain.

When Wisconsin Badgers come to town it might be handy, depending on the final score.

 

[Grayfox]

I asked my son's opinion about this as he spent a tour in Iraq in the top turrent of an MRAP behind a 240 Bravo. I thought his insight might be useful.

His response was "I WANT ONE!"

So I guess that settles that.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Can someone please explain me why exactly the Ohio State University department of public safety needs such a vehicle?

The Michigan game. Duh....................

 

[ChuckS1]

I see Paul Blart must have gotten promoted and is now working as a campus cop...

 

[Practical]

It simple - Preplacement of equipment and trained personal in the even of local, regional or national emergency.

This allows a national military capability to exist to react to unexpected events. It allows highly trained locals OR the action by federal police or military staff who do NOT have time to move equipment to operate with SOME prepositioned items.

Simple - distribute your arms and vehicles in the event you need something...

 

[venomballistics]

It simple - Preplacement of equipment and trained personal in the even of local, regional or national emergency.

This allows a national military capability to exist to react to unexpected events. It allows highly trained locals OR the action by federal police or military staff who do NOT have time to move equipment to operate with SOME prepositioned items.

Simple - distribute your arms and vehicles in the event you need something...

isn't that already covered by national guard armories?

 

[oneminute]

DRMO has over 500 MRAPs of various configurations available to LE agencies.
They can be shipped to the requesting agency for around $2000.00 if the agency does not have access to a lowboy trailer and tractor themselves.
Are there better choices? Absolutely there are. The Lenco Bearcat is a much better choice but at around $200,000.00 very few agencies can afford that.
The MRAP is free through DRMO so free with less capability for LE use is a trade off that admin is willing to make.

Re: militarization of police
Look back in history. The cut down BARs (Colt Monitor) that were marketed specifically to police.
Gun buses/Gun vans, hitting people in the head with slapjacks was common practice.
Bonnie and Clyde were not simply resisting arrest by todays standard. They were ambushed and killed. Any cop who did that today would be charged, tried and most likely convicted of murder.
Would everyone prefer we return to those use of force standards?
All those shiny buttons on the old wool uniforms? Lots of those were recycled military uniforms.
1911s and various revolvers all carried by police over the years past were identical to the ones used by the military.

Militarization of the police is not anything new. It has always been with us and it always will be. The military and police are entwined at a cultural level if nothing else by virtue of the fact that large numbers of our police are veterans and/or military reserves. It is only natural that there will be some commonality of equipment between the two.

Mayberry never existed either, and it never will.