Moorestown Police Consider Acquisition Of Military Humvee Through Federal Program

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Two years ago, the Moorestown Police Department considered pursuing a 15-ton armored personnel carrier that was available through a government surplus program. The possibility generated much discussion locally, and drew the interest of some regional media outlets. In the end, Moorestown Police decided not to try to acquire a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle through the 1033 program.

On Monday, a consent agenda resolution authorizing the transfer of a surplus armored humvee vehicle to the police department through the federal Department of Defense Law Enforcement Support Office 1033 program appeared on council’s agenda.

Much of the same concerns that were voiced during the MRAP discussion were heard once again. Concerns about the appearance of a militarized police force, and concerns about seeing a vehicle used in military combat rolling down the streets of Moorestown came to the forefront.

Police Chief Lee Lieber was on hand to explain some of the differences between the humvee and the MRAP.
He pointed to the noticeable size difference. Whereas the MRAP weighed in at 15 tons and was described by one resident as “the beast,” the humvee checks in at 12,000 pounds.

“This is compact. It’s not much bigger than the vehicles we have now,” Lieber said, adding that the department has five officers who were in the military reserve and are specially trained. He also said special training isn’t actually necessary to operate the vehicle.

Officials said the humvee would be painted like a police vehicle. Additionally, the humvee would have no turrets attached, and if the police department acquired one that did have turrets, they would be removed and sent back.

Before being issued through the LESO program, humvees and MRAPs are demilitarized and do not include any weapons, according to the Defense Logistics Agency. Law enforcement agencies would not get vehicles through LESO with weapons attached to them.

“The MRAP was a little over the top,” Lieber said. “We are faced with militarized bad guys. They have weapons that can penetrate our vests, and we need protection.”

Lieber and township officials said it would be used for emergency situations, including flooding and snow emergencies, as well as dangerous situations in which they would have to rescue officers and citizens.

They reiterated previous arguments, in which they said the presence of the Moorestown Mall and Lockheed Martin make the township a potential target.

They also said it would replace the current van the police department has for such situations. The van was donated by a local business in 2005, and police didn’t have to deploy it once, although they nearly had to at Shields Business Solutions in 2015, when an employee shot a co-worker four times before turning the gun on himself.

Once the police department acquires the humvee, the van would be destroyed, Lieber said.

One resident voiced concerns about the humvee being on display. She said she was concerned about the psychological impact seeing such a vehicle being used in parades and other township events — as military vehicles are used in some neighboring towns — would have on some people in the township.

While using it in parades is a possibility, Lieber said he would be wary of making anyone uncomfortable. Officials said the vehicle would mainly remain out of view, and only be used when necessary.

“I hope it sits until I retire, but we have to have it in case we need it,” Lieber said. “We’d be kidding ourselves if we didn’t look at this opportunity.”

He also said he didn’t want to rely on one of the surrounding towns to provide one of their vehicles in an emergency.“We can use this vehicle to get to someone sooner than later,” Lieber said.

Through the 1033 program, police can acquire the humvee at no cost, but the township would have to pay the cost for maintenance. Lieber said the goal would be to get a humvee that is in good condition, so that maintenance costs would be low. He doesn’t envision an increase in the budget as a result of this purchase.

New Jersey State Police oversee the program, and let the department know when something comes available. While Lieber’s appearance before council in 2015 was a formality, an executive order signed by President Barack Obama later that year made it necessary for police departments to seek township approval before acquiring a military surplus vehicle. The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office requires that resolution to be approved before the police department can make any request.

“We can wait to see what we want, but we have to have the resolution in place before we go after one,” Township Manager Tom Merchel said.

Following the discussion, opposition remained.

Councilwoman Lisa Petriello visited Cinnaminson with Lieber and Merchel to see the humvee their police department uses, and said she doesn’t feel there’s a need for it in Moorestown. She said the township can always consult the National Guard Armory at Fort Dix in emergency situations.

Other members of council supported the proposal. Councilwoman Victoria Napolitano said she would like to think the police department won’t need it, but “we have to prepare for the world we live in, not the one we want to live in.”

The resolution passed by a 4-1 vote.

Resident Paul Conlaw said he understood the need, but still had concerns.

“When a small town like Moorestown feels the need to get an armored vehicle, we have a problem, and it’s a problem across the country,” Conlaw told council. “There are things we can do. We can regulate firearms without violating people’s Second Amendment rights. There are things we can do, and you as council can make a difference.”

The township submitted the application to New Jersey State Police on Tuesday, Lieber said Wednesday morning. State Police then forwarded that application to the Defense Logistics Agency, who will review and approve as applicable. At that point, police can begin looking into obtaining the humvee.

The attached image was provided by Moorestown Police Chief Lee Lieber.