Comments on: Sheriff’s Office Rolls Out Armored SWAT Vehicle

By: Hank Masters

Hank Masters — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:37:41 +0000

When will the “$800,000 a year, every year” myth about the helicopters die? That is a blatent misrepresentation of the facts.

The helicopters do NOT need new rotor heads every year (for example), but that cost was not amortized as it should have been to reflect the true cost to operate.

Question for the voters and the deputies out there, which would you rather have, a helicopter or an armored personnel carrier? Which one can serve the citizens and deputies better?

If we can’t afford to fly the helicopter, so be it, but stop with the grossly inflated budget numbers please.

By: Doug Masters

Doug Masters — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 04:24:34 +0000

A $230,000 parking lot ornament. 99% of the Swat call outs will never need this vehicle to be activated. I do agree that if it saves one life, then it was worth the expense. What I don’t agree with is it being purchased during these financial crisis and how long will it just be sitting around not being used. Most likely it will need several new batteries or be jumped off by another vehicle before it can be used. That “grant” could have been used more intelligently and productively.

By: Walter

Walter — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:12:47 +0000

While not everyone cares for Mr. Morgans persona, I believe we all want what is best for the men and women who “protect and serve” every day. Each Officers efforts are greatly appreciated.

By: idunno

idunno — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 07:50:23 +0000

Dang Mr. 5 star, for all $, 4-500000 you’ve spent on transport vehicles, you could’ve spent $1500 on an old Escambia Co School bus, put bars on the windows, & hauled a bunch of prisoners around. Those slick speechs are startin to sound alot like Obama. We aint all dummies dude…..

By: Just An Old Soldier

Just An Old Soldier — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:44:11 +0000

Good Job Sheriff Morgan! And I appreciate your experience in the Armed Forces too. Keep it up, and I’ll be voting for you next election – you can be sure of that.

By: harley1

harley1 — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 15:19:08 +0000

I don’t know about it being a swat vehicle,but it sure looks like a great pizza delivery vehicle.

By: none of your business

none of your business — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 11:23:23 +0000

LOL to both comments

By: Observer

Observer — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 04:26:43 +0000

Reply back to the Sheriff. Not to argue, but that all sounds great, but it’s not factual. You bought them at the request of your former Chief to transport prisoners that were arrested by Patrol. When you couldn’t get enough Officers to drive them for Comp’ time [no pay] and figured we weren’t New York with 6000 officers making arrest, they were parked which is something that should have been figured out before the purchase. We have never had a need for these as this was proven years ago by another administration. In the past and presently, the MP’s have always picked up their Military people either at the jail or at the substation on the beach. As far as big events on the beach, the Military has always sent MP’s out for the event to deal with their own as well as the jail sending Officers out with regular vans [less expensive ones] to transport. In lieu of using a 130000 vehicle to write someone a ticket and release them at the gate, wouldn’t it be cheaper to use one of those new Tahoes and the deputy assigned to it to transport? As far as the Meth truck, again this should have been addressed prior to the purchase. The former head of Narcotics is not the one who signs off on the purchase, you are. Now you’re stuck with a 250000 truck looking for somewhere to work it. The Dive team already had a truck. Nice try.

By: bill, big b little ill

bill, big b little ill — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 02:18:39 +0000

Will all the yahoos please stand up…big b little ill…standing…

By: Proud of our cops

Proud of our cops — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 22:27:01 +0000

Mr Morgan, I’m glad that you took the time to respond to the yahoos up here but then again, by looking at their comments, I think your post was lost on them.