Growing debate over Santa Cruz police’s new Bearcat
A controversial military style vehicle made its debut in Santa Cruz. The showing of the armored vehicle came about a year after the city passed a special plan allowing police to use it in dangerous situations. Some said the new “Bear Cat” is meant to save lives, while others said the department is overly armed. The Bear Cat is about 8 feet tall and weighs 18 tons.
“Really we look at this as being a mobile shield that we can provide protection for first responders and or citizens that find themselves caught in the middle of a violent confrontation with an armed person,” said Santa Cruz Police Lt. Dan Flippo.
The Bear Cat has windows about 3 inches thick with a side panel holding steel rods used to knock down doors. The armored vehicle has ports where they can deploy gas or tear gas. In the event of an emergency police said they could fit about 10 people inside, where as a police car may only fit 3. Even as invincible as the Bear Cat sounds, not everyone’s in favor of it. Last year, city council voted to bringing the Bear Cat to Santa Cruz County. Protesters made signs that said, “No thanks to tanks,” fearing that it would change the community.
“Neighborhoods are not warzones, and police officers should not be treating the communities they serve like wartime enemies,” said Micaela Davis, Staff Attorney of ACLU Northern California.
Following the San Bernardino shooting where multiple Bear Cats were used, other residents in Santa Cruz said they’re glad the department has one.
“Having a vehicle like this in our county is imperative. It is going to save a life and when it does all arguments will be put aside and this entire county will be praising the Bear Cat,” said Take Back Santa Cruz member, Analicia Cube.
“There are some that argue that we don’t use it often enough so why would we have it? We feel unfortunate from the signs of our time in society that we need this piece of equipment to protect everybody in the county,” said Lt. Flippo.
The department said they’re planning to use the Bear Cat, only in situations where police said it’s necessary.
