Ward 8 Councilor Dick Patten said he’s heard from close to 100 of his constituents, most of whom oppose accepting the grant. But he said most of them didn’t realize it isn’t just for the city of Concord, but for the Central New Hampshire Special Operations Unit. The unit consists of nearly 20 communities, plus the Merrimack County Sheriff’s Office and Plymouth State University.
Patten said: “Why aren’t they coming to the plate, the other communities?” Patten is also concerned about the cost. While it may be a grant, he said: “The taxpayers are still paying for it.” He said he spent many years as a police dispatcher and can appreciate the value of protection, but he also needs to heed the wishes of the people who elected him.
At large Councilor Dan St. Hilaire, who suggested tabling the issue at the August meeting, said Friday: “I haven’t made a decision at this point.”
He’s found in speaking to constituents that the majority thought the vehicle was just for Concord and said he’s seen some shifts in opinion “when they realize there are a lot of communities.”
He said some people are still hesitant, fearing “the federal government is pushing it on us.”
Keith Nyhan, who represents Ward 7 on the city’s South Side, said he received a book about the militarization of police from BearCat opponents. “I don’t buy into the conspiracy theory,” he said.
He, too, said that many people argue Concord has its own armored vehicle and there are two others in the area: New Hampshire State Police have one based in Concord and Manchester has one just down Interstate 93. But Nyhan said the Concord Peacekeeper is 30 years old and the last time it was needed, he said: “It had to be towed.”
Nyhan said he is concerned about taxpayer money, but he is also supportive of the police department.
“It should be an interesting discussion,” he said.
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