Positive and negatives negotiated further in life of BearCat

Chelsea Mellin

Opinions editor

Leah Hughes

Contributing Writer

Scenes from 2004 and 2007 of Keene State College students getting tear gassed, over- turning dumpsters and being herded like captive cattle by police in full riot gear down Apian Way appear to influence how KSC community members are viewing the potential intimidation factor of the LENCO  Bearcat LE.

While the vote has been shelved until March 1, the delay hasn’t stopped the Keene community from causing an uproar about the BearCat.  While the BearCat might not be coming to town just yet, it’s bringing about new discussions on old riots.

The BearCat is being purchased courtesy of a $285,933 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The armored vehicle will be shared with 17 other communities within the Cheshire County. For Keene residents however, the fact remains the vehicle will be housed primarily in their hometown.

Area residents voiced their opinions at a recent Feb. 9 city Finance, Organization and Personnel meeting on the city using federal grant money to purchase such a vehicle. Approximately 100 city residents in attendance of the meeting were overwhelmingly opposed to the BearCat in the Keene community. Fire Chief Gary Lamoureux and Police Chief Kenneth Meola and city staff were all in support of the vehicle. Despite the support, a petition put forth by city council member Terry M. Clark required the city to schedule a hearing.

“It’s unnecessary to have that type of vehicle in this small of a town,” said James Carroll, a student at KSC. Carroll said he is concerned that police will use the vehicle in an aggressive manner, especially towards college students. Carroll said the police “prey on college students” and would use the vehicle in situations like busting students for smoking marijuana.

According to Carroll, the KPD is not responsible enough to own a BearCat because of their aggressive behavior. Carroll said he’s sure the BearCat will be used to break rowdy behavior at events like Spring Weekend and Pumpkin Fest.

“It’s not used as a helpful tool; it’s not built for that,” said Carroll. “It’s built for intimidation.”

Residents’ opposed the vehicle for a variety of reasons, but there was one common thread that connected them all: fear of a militarized police force. Council Member Terry Clark led the opposition, arguing that the BearCat represented “a culture of war that has gripped the nation since Sept. 11^”. Clark and others rallied around the idea that the fear following Sept. 11was allowing the local police force to potentially take advantage of their citizens.

Though the majority of residents opposed the tank at the Feb. 9 meeting, one group was noticeably absent from the meeting- Keene State College Students. Though the majority of the examples Keene Police used to explain when they might use the BearCat involved events where Keene State College students were involved, there were few students who voiced support or opposition to the vehicle.

Pumpkin Festival and the “Red Sox Riots” of 2004 and 2007 were both cited in the city’s grant application as examples of times when the BearCat could be used and both are events where students were involved more than any other time.

KSC Riots of 2004 and 2007

            When it comes to the 2004 and 2007 riots, Keene Police, Campus Safety and school administrators worked together to keep students safe following the ALCS  (American League Championship Series) Championship and World Series’ wins by the Boston Red Sox.

Andy Robinson, Vice President of Student Affairs, was on campus during both riots, “There were rumors of rambunctious behavior…faculty and staff were asked to come and be on hand.”

Amanda Warman, the director of campus safety, monitored both events.”It was thought that having faculty and staff on campus, it would be easier to identify those in the crowds.”

During the riots in both 2004 and 2007, hundreds of students wandered around campus hoping to celebrate the Red Sox’s victories as a large group. According to J.J. Prior, former KSC student and now a journalism adjunct professor, students were just milling around, waiting for something to happen. “There was lots of confusion, no one was in charge…A lot of people were waiting to see what would happen.” Students wandered from one end of campus to the other, hoping to avoid campus safety and leave campus to celebrate in the street.

“Blocking the mobs of students, there were KPD and staties with weapons that looked like paintball guns,” said Prior.

Robinson said that officers met students who tried to enter Main Street with a blockade, “Officers met students dressed in SWAT gear…police blocked all the exits.”

Police and Campus Safety worked together both years to keep students safe during the so-called riots, making sure students stayed on campus, Warman said.  Damages and injuries were limited. Warman said, “Pepper spray was deployed into the crowd,” students and police alike were also videotaping the riots, “There was a few beer bottles thrown…a few dumpsters set on fire.”

According to Robinson and Warman, students were seen climbing the Science Center and standing on the ledge.

Warman said many students wanted to make the “riot” a part of their college experience. Consequently, some students who were caught rioting were either suspended for expelled from KSC. This also meant that if a student tried to apply at another school within the USNH school system, they could not be accepted.

Another major outcome from the riots of 2004 and 2007 was that it cost the city a hefty amount to clean up and make repairs. Red Sox riot damages in 2004 totaled just over $10,000, Warman said.

Campus Concerns

            When it comes to the potential for more riots on the Keene State Campus, the presence of a BearCat in the Keene Police force is unnerving, according to several KSC community members interviewed. Student Body President Colin Daly said the BearCat can only make things worse. “If there was a riot as there was in the past, having a BearCat would only create a worse situation, as opposed to alleviating it.”

There is also the concern that the BearCat will create more opposition from rioting students, “If anything it would make students more angry…students already felt like their right to riot was being infringed upon,” said Prior.

Robinson agreed, “Bigger schools have bigger issues and more dangerous situations,” he said, “I can’t see using a BearCat type vehicle in that situation. That vehicle might escalate the situation using it to intimidate.”

“Depending on who you talk to, they might say a police officer’s uniform is intimidating,” Warman said. “It’s all about perspective.”

When it came to equipping the Keene Police, several staff, faculty and students said it’s better to be safe than sorry. “People are concerned what the federal government is spending their money on. As a taxpayer, I’m concerned with what they are spending money on,” Warman said. “I can totally see both sides of the issue.”

While Warman agrees that the BearCat is not a “Monadnock or Keene culture” type of vehicle, she said “violence happens everywhere, it’s not the place; it’s the people and circumstances.”

As far as what the KPD wants to do with its tactical planning, Warman said she is not going to “second guess” what they believe is necessary for their department.  “The grant money is federal money; it’s there to be spent. If Keene can take advantage of that, why not?” said Warman.

KSC Student President Daly agreed, “If they feel like they need it, I support them. I’m not able to tell them what they do or do not need.”

In contrast, Jackie Efraimson, President of the class of 2014, said the BearCat is unnecessary and a waste of money. “It’s a lot of money for something that could possibly be used once or twice,” said Efraimson. She said the money should be spent on other things like guns or vests.

However, Efraimson said she can see the positive and negative side of Keene having the BearCat. “I can see how it would make some people feel safe but for college students, it makes us seem more out of control,” she said. “It might give us a bad reputation.”