Police hosting meetings about use of new armored vehicle

MILPITAS >> The Milpitas Police Department will host community meetings this month to discuss how it plans to use its new armored vehicle and hear feedback from residents.

The City Council approved the purchase of the $382,000 vehicle — a Lenco BearCat MedEvac — on Aug. 15, 2017.

Police Lt. Jared Hernandez said the community meetings are being held so that the public can learn about the MedEvac, its purpose, capabilities and the circumstances under which it would be deployed.

Hernandez said feedback will be “taken into consideration as we develop a policy” for the armored truck.

Some residents spoke against the purchase at last year’s council meeting and suggested there had not been enough public notice and discussion about the vehicle before the City Council approved its purchase.

“We hope to address any concerns there might be and the community will have an opportunity to ask questions of us. Our hope is for quality discussion on the topic,” Hernandez said of the meetings in an email Wednesday.

The first meeting was held last week. The second meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in the multipurpose room at John Sinnott Elementary School, 2025 Yellowstone Ave.

The final meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday in classroom #1 at the San Jose City College Milpitas Extension campus, 1450 Escuela Parkway.