September 11. Columbine.
They were the unthinkable, horrific incidents that officials mentioned at a recent press conference announcing $350,000 in state funds to buy a Lenco BearCat vehicle for Bucks County SWAT use.
State Sen. Frank Farry (R-Bucks) announced the funding, surrounded by law enforcement and state representatives who helped obtain it in the lower chamber.
Farry said the county’s one BearCat is 21 years old and stored in central Bucks County. The new BearCat will stay in Bensalem unless it’s needed.
State Sen. Frank Farry (R-Bucks)
If an unthinkable incident occurs, a second armored vehicle will help with response time.
“It sure is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it,” said Rep. K.C. Tomlinson (R-Bensalem).
Farry called it a “vital tool for our law enforcement officers when high-risk incidents happen. So, whether it is a hostage situation or somebody threatening to harm themselves in a mass casualty incident, this is an important tool for them to use.”
It will help protect not just law enforcement officers but civilians, as well, he said.
“I’ve been a volunteer firefighter for 35 years and the chief of the Langhorne Middletown Department for over 23 now. As I was thinking about speaking today, one of the things I thought about is the equipment that we have on our fire apparatus. We have a lot of equipment that we use fairly regularly, but we also have other equipment there for specialized incidents.
“And it’s equipment you never want to pull off the truck or utilize because that means you’re at a large loss of life, you’re at a significant property damage incident and whatnot. But it’s equipment that’s necessary to have to be able to do our job. And the command staff and police leadership in Bucks County that are standing behind me will be able to attest that they never want to have to deploy equipment of this nature. But this equipment is necessary in the event that they have to deploy it and they need to keep their officers safe. But they also may need it to rescue members of the public, and keep them safe.
“And ultimately, the piece of equipment may be deployed to bring an end to an incident.”
Bensalem Mayor Digirolamo and William McVey, director of public safety, Warrington Police Chief Dan Friel, president of Bucks County Chiefs Association, said, “We are extremely grateful for our state representatives and senator for obtaining the funds for this vehicle refuse that will protect police and civilians alike.”
Press conference to announce BearCat funding
“It is essential that police officers are afforded the protective armor BearCats can provide. Using the essential equipment has become a common tactic. Because it is common sense. The BearCat can operate in situations where traditional rescue apparatus cannot.”
In addition to violent shooting situations, it can be useful for rescuing people following hurricanes and tornadoes, he said, as well as overcoming barricades and serving high-risk search warrants.
All three Bucks County SWAT teams will use this “tremendous and necessary resource,” said Friel.
District Attorney Jennifer Schorn welcomed the funding and thanked the state legislators for obtaining it.
Sheriff Fred Harran said “keeping our county safe” is the first priority, mentioning that it has been 26 years since the Columbine school shooting and 23 years since the 9/11 terror attack.
After 9/11, there was an “influx of funds to help law enforcement. Then the tide turned, and those funds went away,” said Harran. The legislators knew there was no federal funding and they “stepped up to the plate,” he said.
Rep. Kristin Marcell (R-Richboro), Rep. Shelby Labs (R-Doylestown), and Rep. Joe Hogan (R-Penndel) were also on hand to announce the BearCat funding. Farry said Rep. Craig Staats (R-Richland) also assisted but could not attend the press conference.
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