Poll: Moorestown Reacts to Possible Military Vehicle for MTPD

During Monday night’s meeting, Moorestown Council discussed the police department’s desire to apply for a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle through a Department of Defense surplus program that provides military equipment to local municipalities.

The MRAP would be a loan from the DOD and come at no charge, save the maintenance and upkeep of the vehicle. The police department said it would be used to deal with active shooter situations, such as the one that took place on Monday morning at Shields Business Solutions, in which an employee shot a co-worker four times before turning the gun on himself. Although the shooter turned the gun on himself, it could’ve easily turned out differently if he didn’t, Lt. Lee Lieber said this week.

The Moorestown Office of Emergency Management could also use the vehicle in case of a natural disaster, such as Superstorm Sandy, officials said. Council was in agreement with the proposal.

Lieber reassures residents the vehicle would not be used for the wrong reasons, but some Moorestown Patch readers oppose the idea.

“There is no excuse for our Police Department to have this vehicle. The Police have far more vehicles than they need. We do not need to further militarize our police force,” Jonathan Eron said in the comments section on Moorestown Patch.

“This just furthers the ridiculous militarization of the local police department,” said a commenter using the screen name “Rich.”

“No one should be fooled when the police say it is free. It isn’t. Although considered a ‘Donation’, taxpayers are required to cover the high costs of transportation, retrofitting, insurance, training and ongoing operations of this vehicle. Many towns that had aquired MRAP’s from the DOD are trying to return them due to the associated costs but they are charged to return them also,” Jeff Goldstein said.

Some support the idea.

“The price is right, and you can never be too safe when it comes to protecting our town. I trust our brave men and women in law enforcement to know what is right for us to have to be ready for any type of situation. We aren’t in the 1950’s, people, the world we live in is full of evil and we must be ready to take it on,” said a commenter using the screen name “Theresa.”

“Can’t believe the amount of people who are willing to go against our boys in blue on here. Maybe you should all move outta Moorestown and go hang out with DeBlasio and his cronies in New York City. I trust our cops to know what we need to be 100 percent ready for whatever the nutjobs or mother nature throw at us,” said a commenter using the screen name “Chris.”

“That’s what this world is coming to. Not like it used to be,” said a commenter using the screen name “Loretka.”

What do you think? Should the Moorestown Police Department pursue an MRAP for shooter situations and natural disasters? Participate in our poll and let us know in the comments section below.