The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) held a meeting and allowed public comment on the Calvert County Sheriff Office (CCSO) request to replace their BearCat tactical armored vehicle. In the meeting CCSO and the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) struggled to make their argument for the need for such  a large purchase. A $357,500 purchase to be exact. 

Commissioners and the public expressed an unwillingness to support this request highlighting the budget and necessity of the purchase. CCSO and the FOP refused to provide statistics of the usefulness of the vehicle and the force overall. Ultimately there was a motion to keep the record open for public comment, despite the FOP attempt to block it. 

Additionally, the public was not given accurate information about the finance plan for the BearCat. In the resolution presented to the public half of the funds were to come from the Safe Schools Fund. The CCSO accountant clarified that funds will not come from the Safe Schools Fund but some wonder how a BearCat held more importance than school safety for our children in the first place.

As we push to have Police Accountability in the county, we must continue to ask these questions. Why do we need a BearCat in Calvert County? How often is the BearCat being put to use? Is civilian safety and best interest being considered in this purchase? Is there a better way to use the County's funding? Why the lack of transparency in this process? #BlocktheBearCat