N.H. Police Department Is in Line For a Really Big Truck

Dec. 13--City in line for a really big truck

By summer, Keene police may have an armored vehicle that could go off-road, detect poisonous gases and locate missing people through thermal imaging.

The council's finance, organization and personnel committee last week unanimously recommended accepting a $285,933 grant from the federal Department of Homeland Security to pay for the vehicle, known as a LENCO BearCat Special Mission Public Safety Vehicle, though some councilors initially raised concerns.

Keene police Capt. Steven Russo said the vehicle would dramatically improve the department's ability to respond to potentially dangerous situations and emergencies.

"If (Tropical Storm) Irene had gotten worse here, like it did in Brattleboro, it could be used to evacuate people more safely than an ambulance could," he said. "It's equipped with a thermal imager, which can be used to locate really anyone."

The vehicle can access hard-to-reach locations, and can also be used to check out suspicious packages without putting responders in immediate danger, Russo said.

The closest armored vehicle is in Nashua, meaning it would take at least an hour to get it here in an emergency, Russo said.

"When you need one of these things, you need it now, not in an hour or two," Russo said.

Some councilors initially expressed concern the vehicle could send the wrong message to residents.

"It wasn't something I was really thrilled about," said finance committee member Kris E. Roberts, who served 21 years in the Marine Corps. "If we wanted to buy it, there's no way I would've supported it.

"It can send the wrong kind of signal that Keene is a dangerous place," he said. "To me, it comes across sometimes that when you attempt to protect people, you end up scaring them by making them think there's more danger than there really is."

Councilor and Mayor-elect Kendall W. Lane, also a finance committee member, shared some of Roberts' concerns, but ultimately believed the benefits were more significant.

"We had one incident last year at a hotel on Key Road with someone locked in a room with the potential for shooting to take place," he said. "In the past, we've had to use fire trucks for protection of medical personnel (in those situations).

"We were a little concerned at first when it was originally described as a military vehicle, but once we saw a photograph of it ... it's like a glorified Hummer."

Russo said the vehicles are built by hand using the frame of a Ford F-550 pickup truck, and in addition to the thermal imaging, the vehicle has off-road capabilities and is equipped with biological and chemical monitoring equipment.

"If something were to happen at Vermont Yankee (nuclear power plant in Vernon, Vt.), it could be used to pick up on explosive gases," he said.

And while the vehicle has a capacity of 10 people, Russo said it would most likely carry two or three officers at a time in most situations.

The armored truck would allow officers to safely evacuate people from nearby buildings in the event of a dangerous incident involving a suspect with a weapon, and its off-road capabilities and thermal imaging would allow police to search for missing persons in otherwise inaccessible locations, Russo said.

"We were worried that some people might feel it looks too aggressive, but it's not like we'd be using it every day," he said.

The Manchester Police Department has had a BearCat since 2007, and Sgt. Mark F. Sanclemente said it's been a valuable tool for his colleagues there, who use it about once or twice a month, on average.

"It's changed the dynamic of the (SWAT) team and what we can do," he said. "We had it out Saturday night, when a robbery suspect was threatening to shoot at police, and we had it parked right outside his house. Before (they had the BearCat), we had to plan how we'd deploy personnel," he said. "Does it look aggressive? Absolutely. But it enhances the safety of the community."

Russo said all 21 police chiefs in Cheshire County signed a memorandum of understanding at a recent meeting, meaning any department in the county could use it if needed.

If approved by the council, it should take about six months for Keene police to get the vehicle, Russo said.

u The City Council meets Thursday at 7 p.m. at City Hall.