County chips in $30K for armored vehicle

Steele County commissioners voted Tuesday to pay $30,000 toward the cost of a vehicle that will be purchased by the South Central Drug Investigation Unit (SCDIU).

The consortium serves Steele, Freeborn, Waseca, and Faribault counties, with a focus on violent crime.

Sheriff Lon Thiele said recent active shooter and terroristic events led to the request for the $315,000 BearCat, which will be built and “key-ready” as soon as the manufacturer receives funding.

“It will be able to respond to critical incidents more quickly and reliably,” he said. “(The armored vehicle) will be able to enter hot zones to protect officers and rescue civilians if that need is there.”

According to materials provided for the board meeting, the vehicle has hardened walls and blast-proof windows, 4-wheel drive capability, and can run off-road in more remote parts of the counties. It can carry up to 12 operators in full tactical gear and up to 20 civilians during a rescue operation.

A14-foot hydraulic battering ram allows the BearCat to get into barricaded buildings, and a gas injector allows officers to deploy chemicals without exposing themselves to gunfire.

The SWAT team already received a large private donation toward the vehicle, Thiele said. Waseca County and Waseca will pay $50,000; Freeborn and Steele counties, Owatonna and Albert Lea will all pay $30,000. Smaller agencies will contribute $10,000, which can be broken down into two payments. Contributions are population-based.

While funds aren’t budgeted, Thiele said, the money could come out of reserves. Drug Task Force funds will cover annual costs.

Commissioner Krueger asked where the vehicle would be housed, and Thiele said the current thought is Freeborn County. The vehicle has to be stored near a sheriff’s office and, because it carries munitions, in a climate-controlled space.

“We don’t have a place for it right now,” he said.

Thiele said the vehicle will likely not travel any more than 50 miles per hour. Armored vehicles are heavy and have rugged tires, along with lower-geared transmissions, he said.

The closest armored vehicle is now in Mankato, 45 minutes to an hour away. It was most recently used in Albert Lea, after an officer was ambushed. The vehicle was damaged by gunfire during the incident.

Having a vehicle in Albert Lea would reduce response time to 30-45 minutes, county administrator Scott Golberg estimated.

“Obviously it’s a financial commitment from our county, but it’s pretty nominal to ensure some safety for the public and our officers, commissioner Jim Abbe said.

He added the BearCat could also be used for rescues and tracking during floods and other emergencies.