Use With Caution

Nothing happens in a vacuum, and the timing of Southampton Town’s proposed purchase of a $400,000 Lenco BearCat armored truck, coming as federal troops are on the streets in some cities and masked ICE officers appear to operate outside normal law enforcement norms, was bound to raise some concerns about the ongoing militarization of local police forces.

But Southampton Town Police Chief James Kiernan has made a compelling case for the purchase: It’s a piece of equipment that might appear excessive — until the moment it’s needed. And at that moment it’s not just necessary, it likely will save lives.

The truth is, the Town Police have a similar tactical vehicle, but the 1982 Dodge “Peacekeeper” is a hand-me-down from Suffolk County that has far outlived its usefulness. The fact that the 40-year-old armored truck is hardly a common sight on the town’s streets suggests that the department does not consider it for everyday deployment. It’s intended to protect officers in high-risk situations such as active shooter or barricade incidents.

This is an era of mass shootings — the reality is plain that just because the town has thankfully been safe up till now does not mean it’s invulnerable. Gun violence here is rare, but it’s not a threat that can be dismissed. Also, as the chief noted, “barricaded subject” calls are not unheard of at Town Police headquarters, and any one of those could turn disastrous for responding officers. Protecting them has to be a priority.

Suffolk County has such a vehicle, some critics say. But that’s an argument in favor: The county offers regular police patrols in the western part of the county, as local departments do on the South Fork. Having such a vehicle available to dispatch at a moment’s notice is essential: In such a tense circumstance, who would want to wait to see if such a piece of equipment could be deployed from Hauppauge, if it’s even available?

A note of caution, though: Should the department get the BearCat, its leadership must be aware that deploying it to any scene can be a provocation. Should the Town Board approve the purchase, the chief should take pains to make sure it’s a weapon only used in self-defense.