Driving along Interstate 44 the other day, I had occasion to snap the above photo. This was not an armored truck carrying a mountain of cash to various and sundry establishments around our fair city but rather a lumbering monument to the militarization of the police. Maybe I’m wrong – I will entertain that possibility – but do the cops really need an armored car to go serve a warrant? Before you answer that, notice the gun ports. Now, as far as I understand it . . .
An armored car is designed to provide the occupants safety from sustained assault. Picking up and delivering cash makes the vehicle and occupants targets. The gun ports and thick steel make sense given the value of the contents. Has a SWAT team ever had to hunker down inside a rolling Fort Apache until the cavalry arrived? Ever?
I believe in law and order, and the man with a badge is more than just a man. He or she is an officer of the court and a representative of the rule of law. I want them to be safe but a fortified armored vehicle running well up into the six figures seems more than a little excessive. What does an armored SWAT truck bring to the party a good size step van doesn’t?
Insult to injury – the damn thing was filthy, too. Just sayin’ . . .