Jeffco Has a Tank!!!

[CrufflerSteve]

Something else that changed things was Columbine. Sitting around 'waiting for clarity' is no longer acceptable. Nowadays they'd go in fast. It could get shooters up close and help get wounded out under fire. I'm sure every cop who took part in that MCF must still be deeply frustrated. When SOP states to surround and stay put while people are being murdered is no proper procedure.

Besides, who wouldn't want to play with that toy?

Steve

[Marlin]

It's an M-113 Armored Personnel Carrier (APC). Probably an A1 version. I drove one in Germany during my tour there. Fun to drive. The vehicle is made of aluminum, so the 'Armor' in 'Armored' has always been funny to me.

Yep, the 13 ton recycled aluminum beer can. Drove that one and the M577. I missed the Bradley by that much.

They do have rubber pads running down the middle of the tracks. To "help" save the road. But as Blackford said, they ain't too effective.

[OneGuy67]

Probably got this one from the Army on the cheap. Springs PD did the same thing when they got their (now grounded) helicopters, bought 2 OH-58s from the Army for next to nothing, comparatively. The M113 no doubt cost a lot less than say, a Lenco Bearcat, which a lot of SWAT teams use, and costs around a quarter million bucks from what I could find on the Web. I guess they figured a few grand for a surplus M113 beat a quarter million of the taxpayers' money. And as CrufflerSteve said, the feds may well have picked up the tab anyway. Plus, the tracked vehicle is far less sensitive to terrain and weather than a wheeled vehicle. And what would they use it for? Providing cover for emergency medical treatment in a threat area (think an active shooter scenario, for one), hostage rescue in the same situation... I can think of at least ten uses that a PD or SO's tac team would have for it.

Springs had to sell their two helicopters due to budget issues last year. Sad to see an asset go, but they really needed the money.

The tracks will tear up the roadway, even with new pads on them. Most likely why it is being trailered to and from, wherever it went. I hated breaking track, replacing track or pads.

Monument PD just picked up a DRMO'ed early model MRAP (mine resistant ambush protected) vehicle. I'm not sure if it is a Golan, Cougar or Buffalo, but it apparently is non functioning and needs a new engine and drive train. They got it free, though. I do question the need for a small agency such as theirs needing a vehicle such as that. As for JCSO's M-113, they would be better served to get something similar to Monument for their tactical unit. A wheeled vehicle is easier to manuever and is easier on the streets.

[Hoosier]

This one appears to be sporting entirely rubberized tracks:



Not the usual "blocks of rubber between the links" method, but more like a Bobcat or Mattrax track.

You'll also notice that the guns aren't mounted... as that's still illegal.

H.

[AirbornePathogen]

[quote=OneGuy67;395913]Springs had to sell their two helicopters due to budget issues last year. Sad to see an asset go, but they really needed the money.]

Hadn't heard that. I knew they grounded em a few years back for the same reason.

[Circuits]

This one appears to be sporting entirely rubberized tracks:
You'll also notice that the guns aren't mounted... as that's still illegal.

H.

Not illegal for law enforcement, but usually against most civilian agency's use of force guidelines and eqpt policies.

[flan7211]

Why the hell would they need that?

[Ronin13]

Why the hell would they need that?

In defense of JCSO- Ted is a family friend of ours- they are the state's leader in training (most Denver Metro Area PD's train through Jeffco), play the biggest role on the West Metro Drug TF, and has perhaps one of the most modernized and well equipped SWAT teams in the state. Just don't really see too much need to an M113 APC, but then again they don't need FLIR on their patrol vehicles either, but have 'em anyway.

[flan7211]

In defense of JCSO- Ted is a family friend of ours- they are the state's leader in training (most Denver Metro Area PD's train through Jeffco), play the biggest role on the West Metro Drug TF, and has perhaps one of the most modernized and well equipped SWAT teams in the state. Just don't really see too much need to an M113 APC, but then again they don't need FLIR on their patrol vehicles either, but have 'em anyway.

K I hear ya, Jeffco has some good people on their force. If they ever come door to door for our guns I'd hate to face that.

[Ronin13]

K I hear ya, Jeffco has some good people on their force. If they ever come door to door for our guns I'd hate to face that.

Haha! Yeah, but my friends on the department would probably call me, or just skip my house entirely. I just wish their Mtn Precinct deputies would be a little less aggressive... it's all low crime, quiet people up here in Evergreen/Conifer, no need to suspect every traffic stop is going to yield drugs and/or some larger crime.