Something every Podunk PD clearly needs...
Posted on 08/24/2012 1:01:48 PM PDT by dynachrome
The 20-foot-long All-Hazard Special Response Vehicle, also known as the TK-4, was used by Gardens police on a trial basis for about three weeks in July. Several other South Florida communities considering buying a TK-4 also used the vehicle, said Chris Light, president of Armored Solutions Inc., the Pittsfield, Mass.-based company that manufactures the vehicles.
Up to 10 people can fit inside the vehicle. That will give Gardens flexibility in using the TK-4 to handle different emergencies from SWAT team emergencies to lifting fallen trees, Light said.
(Excerpt) Read more at palmbeachpost.com ...
Some info from the manufacurer's site:
"TK-4 Features
•The TK-4 is custom manufactured in the USA at our facility in Western Massachusetts.
•The TK-4 roof hatch has armor piercing shield protection, and ASI’s exterior sniper gun port gives the team a clear view to any impending threat. A rotating turret has a 360° turning radius. The interior sniper step allows easy access to the roof.
•The TK-4 is standard with ASI’s "outrigger" extended running boards that allow the tactical team additional solid footing while riding on the exterior of the vehicle.
•An extended rear bumper and electric rear secondary step gives the team easy, quick exit through the rear deployment doors
•The TK-4 rear doors swing open easily for quick deployment and lock open at 90°s or 180°s. ASI’s gap shield protection is standard on rear doors for additional shield protection.
•Rear bench seating has under seat storage. The passenger seat is mounted on a swivel base for easy exit.
•All TK-4 front doors have the capability to lock open at a 90° angle as well as a 45° angle allowing the team shield coverage. ASI’s gap shield with armor piercing protection gives complete door coverage at all angles.
Some Additional STANDARD Features on the TK-4 •The TK-4 emergency package includes a 200 watt siren PA system, front and rear Wig-Wag and front and rear alternating red and blue strobe lights.
•Upgraded suspension and tires.
•An after-market AC with an additional condenser is installed. This in conjunction with the TK-4 Insulated walls and ceiling helps keep interior climate control stabilized.
•The TK-4 has 11 ASI machined exterior gun ports: 8 standard gun ports and 3 sniper gun ports with a 7” opening for sniper rifles.
•The TK-4 360° protection includes the engine compartment, fire wall and fuel tank."
Looks like a dozen or so law-enforcement agencies around the country are listed as customers.
The article does not mention the cost.
However, costs does not really matter because:
“Forfeiture money was used to pay for the vehicle. The money is collected from the Law Enforcement Trust Fund, which disperses forfeiture money collected by state, local and federal law enforcement agencies.”
Are they buying these for alcohol bootleggers?
Gun runners?
Numbers racketeers?
No. This is another extension of our misguided “War on (some) Drugs”. Another excuse to expand police powers and firepower.
Let’s end the modern police state and put cops back among the general citizenry, or as they like to call us, “civilians”.
Could this be why one of the SCOTUS judges opened the door to discussing the right of individuals owning bazooka’s?
They love this crap, it makes them feel like high-speed, low-drag “special operators”. All the cops in my little town are wearing black BDU pants even the tiny women.
$175,000. It's in the first paragraph.
Forfeiture.
Police inducement to violate civil rights and shoot the citizenry. We’ve placed the police in the dubious position of protecting us and preying upon us.
...That will give Gardens flexibility in using the TK-4 to handle different emergencies from SWAT team emergencies to lifting fallen trees, Light said...
LOL Like the local PBG police are wandering around picking up fallen trees.
IMO, such local police aren’t local anymore - they look like booted paramilitaries.
Next they will claim they need modern M1A tanks to sweep the streets after an accident...
Nice flat top too...
Unless someone seriously steps on the brakes, we son't have to imagine, the picture will be 'slashed' all over the internet.
As in: "Family killed after trying to stop police raid'
Why do they need it?
What purpose does it serve?
There’s no legitimate reason for any PD to have such an item.
/ just to borrow their arguments against our Constitutional rights.
HAS LIMBAUGH BEEN ACTING UP AGAIN????
Ever have to clean one out? Very messy.
No, thank God.
They didn’t build that.........
Every can has its opener.
How’s the maneuverability when it’s flipped upside down?
This is an oasis of civility and neighborliness. Its a really nice place. This is the LAST PLACE that neeeds this thing.
Bizarre. Cops here are dieing of boredom.
Totally agree! My neck of the woods. It’s the nicest(mild) place to live in Palm Beach County (other than Rush/TheDonald/Kennedy neighborhood).
Why they need this is going to be hilarious to watch. Maybe do a SWAT raid at the next PGA National Honda Classic??
Maybe these vehicles will be used to PREVENT less civil neighbors from paying a visit to this “safe” city.
I know where I can get a used but in good condition airport fire truck, that is a behemoth high horsepower tanker with a remote fire hose cannon. With some modifications the tanker compartment can be converted to a personnel compartment.
Would be a great assault vehicle.
Impressive non lethal crowd control....low cost ammo
Impressive non lethal crowd control....low cost ammo
Or maybe a Godzilla of a flamethrower!
We have a local volunteer fire department just up the road from me here in rural Alaska, they bought one of these airport fire truck tankers, pretty darn big piece of equipment, legally you cannot drive it on the highway but it will haul ass, and yes it has a very powerful remote controlled water cannon for spraying water or foam.
Obviously alternative liquids can be used.
Myself I can make a miniature version to operate on my Silverado, sounds like an interesting off season project in the shop, design a shallow in bed tank or use a bladder, make a telescopic extending remotely controlled variable nozzle sprayer, have a high pressure pump and then experiment with certain materials.
I forgot to finish the story, the fire department last I heard had it placed in storage and its up for sale. Being an expert fabricator and heavy equipment mechanic I can out do any assault vehicle.
You get enough mass from some sort of earthmover against that tin can its gonna pop like a can of baked beans dropped in a vat of boiling oil.
Its doesn’t even look as good as the one in the second Bruce Willis Diehard movie, and it was taken out by a MANPAD.
With the Feds getting out of line, I am reserving judgement on the issue of my locally elected Sheriff's heavy equipment arsenal...
Thanks, missed that. I should read more slowly.
•Can withstand 50-caliber bullets
•Has 20-year life expectancy
in small print in the article
I saw what it said and even though my picture was in jest they’ll have to show me a few videos to prove to me it can withstand a .50BMG.
Might depend on the type of .50 cartridge. Soft point? Armor piercing? Depleted uranium?
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