Then why are they armed w/ a rifle? If the mission was to observe then binos/telescope/camera would be in order.
Next question...why would you need such a setup at a pumpkin festival?
Because jack o lanterns can be very scary.
City Manager to Police Chief, 2003: "Chief, I see your SWAT team cost the city three million dollars last year, and it was only called out twice, to serve regular drug warrants. We're going to have to trim that back to one million."
City Manager to Police Chief, 2013: "Chief, I see your SWAT team was called out 327 times last year! Wow! Great work! Do you need more money? And I heard there is a new federal program where they'll even pay for armored personnel carriers and helicopters too."