Commentary: Suddenly the Council Has $300,000 to Throw Around?

Is a Bearcat in the works for Davis.

Tuesday evening took an odd turn as suddenly two of the councilmembers with the strongest record on fiscal prudence were proposing the city allocate $300,000 for a BearCat or another civilian replacement for the MRAP (mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle), which they conceded would be returned by the city of Davis.

This came on the heels of the council, without further discussion, approving the new city manager contract and its nearly $30,000 raise over the previous contract.

The discussion of such an allocation outside of the context of the budget forced Interim City Manager Gene Rogers, with two weeks to go in his tenure, to actually speak up and tell the council they should pause and take into consideration the totality of their financial situation in the budget.

“One question you would want to ask the police is what are your needs, whether it’s personnel or equipment and how would you prioritize it?” he pointed out. “I think you should maybe be a little bit patient in terms of making an allocation tonight without having at least the grounding of the fiscal implications of doing that with respect to the budget.”

But even that comment was not enough to convince Councilmember Rochelle Swanson and Brett Lee on this issue.

One point of discussion that seemed lost on Tuesday was actual usage and need. In the last five years, the predecessor to the MRAP, the Peacekeeper, was used 43 times, but only 11 of those times was it used in the city of Davis. That means that, in the average year, the city of Davis used the vehicle twice.

Is that worth a $300,000 expenditure? From an efficiency standpoint it does not make much sense in these tough budget times to allocate that type of money for a piece of equipment that will be used twice a year.

Brett Lee’s comment that the city would be looking at purchasing a new fire engine at half a million was interesting. One thing is clear, the city has over-compensated city employees at the expense of infrastructure and equipment needs.

That said, the interim city manager is spot on when he talks about the need to work this consideration within the scope of the overall budget. Is the biggest need for the police more equipment or personnel? Would you rather have a BearCat or three additional police officers that could help patrol the streets?

Of course, proponents will argue that we just turned back a free vehicle. But did we? Many were quick to accept at face value from the police that the MRAP was a low maintenance and highly effective vehicle. But was it?

Robb Davis on Tuesday night put forth a lot of new information, born from his research, that no one has actually refuted.

As the mayor pro tem would argue, the MRAP “does one thing well, it protects people inside.” However, beyond that, there are a lot of questions about “the value of this vehicle.”

“One of the reasons we’re seeing them show up in our communities is because they haven’t worked very well except for one thing – as you’re going down a road, a pretty straight road, a flat road, if a bomb goes off, it will protect everybody inside. That we know. Everyone agrees with that,” the mayor pro tem explained. “Where the disagreement comes in is what happens if you have to wheel it into a tight spot.” He said up hills, on uneven terrain, even up driveways are problematic for the vehicle.

“What happens in an urban environment?” he continued. “The consensus there is that it’s not very well adapted.” He called it “a product of really a broken military system. There were five companies that made these.” He said when they “got into theater they couldn’t even find the parts to repair these because they’re specialized parts.”

The other point he made was that this is not just a truck. There are only a few manufacturers for it, it is highly specialized, but “the reality is that the experience in military situations around the world is that it’s been a complete headache.”

The mayor pro tem went so far as to say, “If I were to make a prediction today… I would say in about five years there’s going to be a lot of jurisdictions that are looking to get rid of these things. They just aren’t adapted to the situation.”

That the MRAP was not ideal was conceded by all on the council, including Brett Lee and Rochelle Swanson. All things being equal, Brett Lee said, “I would choose the civilian version because it’s clearly more appropriate.” Councilmember Lee noted that, while free, the MRAP is “a former military vehicle and not designed for civilian use.”

Some people have conceded these points, arguing that whatever use it has is better than nothing. But is it? Leaving aside the political calculations here, do we really want to rely on a vehicle that might not work well in the urban environment?

Every alternative we have, of course, has a downside. On Tuesday night, Rochelle Swanson made the argument that, when push comes to shove, there is value in owning our equipment, running our operations, because at least then we can be assured that our community values are upheld.

While I’m okay with that argument, we have had a regional approach to SWAT for 25 years, and we have had an agreement with West Sacramento to use the Peacekeeper. And, given the amount of times that we have used the vehicle in the last five years, given our current situation, owning our own equipment might be considered a “nice to have” but doesn’t seem to be a “need to have.”

If we have extra money for the police, I’d rather it go to additional personnel instead of equipment.

One of the councilmembers, in response to a possible JPA arrangement, argued that they don’t believe the community wants West Sacramento or another agency coming into a high stress situation in Davis. That’s already happening.

There were multiple agencies that were involved in the Royal Oak raid a month ago. We have arrangements with other jurisdictions for SWAT. Things like YONET and the Yolo Gang Task Force are multi-agency operations.

For the typical usage of these vehicles, a joint arrangement is going to work just fine. The one situation that probably is not covered by such an arrangement is the live shooter situation.   The question there is how far do we go to prepare for the extremely low probability event? Even under ideal situations, we have to hope for the best anyway.

The community has now spoken. The council is returning the vehicle. The next step, however, is to find some sort of armored vehicle better designed for civilian and urban use. I continue to argue that Davis should not attempt to own its own vehicle, not because it is okay for another agency to have the vehicle, but rather because we simply do not use one often enough for it to justify solo ownership.

—David M. Greenwald reporting

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  • David Greenwald

    Greenwald is the founder, editor, and executive director of the Davis Vanguard. He founded the Vanguard in 2006. David Greenwald moved to Davis in 1996 to attend Graduate School at UC Davis in Political Science. He lives in South Davis with his wife Cecilia Escamilla Greenwald and three children.

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115 comments

  1. One question you would want to ask the police is what are your needs, whether it’s personnel or equipment and how would you prioritize it?” he pointed out. “I think you should be maybe be a little bit patient in terms of making an allocation tonight without having at least the grounding of the fiscal implications of doing that with respect to the budget.

    For me, this was Gene Rogers shining moment in his time as interim city manager. I have , in my  mind, and in private conversation been quite critical of his extremely low profile approach. But when push came to shove, and even though it did not alter the vote, he showed his wisdom and experience in taking the long view in terms of budgetary responsibility. Many of the arguments made on both sides of the keep vs divest divide have been based only on emotion. The “keep our police safe” vs “no tanks in town” arguments, both of which lack any sound, evidence based reasoning. And then comes Mr. Rogers with his advice to take a patient, information based, reasoned and balanced view of all of the cities needs and priorities before making specific allocations. Kudos to you Mr. Rogers for your well reasoned advice. A very high note indeed on which to finish.

    1. Tia, it’s been my personal experience, as a woman in state government, that “extremely low profile” folk are often the most thoughtful, analytical people in the room. They have little arrogance and a ton of compassion. They do not feel the need to monopolize the conversation. or shout. They calmly express their well thought out, well researched  opinion.  Have you ever seen Jay and Silent Bob? They are the silent Bob!

      1. sisterhood wrote:

        >it’s been my personal experience, as a woman in state government,

        >that “extremely low profile” folk are often the most thoughtful,

        >analytical people in the room. 

        I have noticed the same thing, but sadly it is the charismatic great speaker (on the right or left) with crazy “shoot from the hip” ideas that most people listen to (and/or elect)…

        1. SOD, Good point, but I don’t consider loud, arrogant  people to always be the best speaker. The loudest, maybe, and the most charismatic, but not the most thoughtful, intelligent, insightful, or greatest. IMHO

      2. it’s been my personal experience, as a woman in state government, that “extremely low profile” folk are often the most thoughtful, analytical people in the room.

        As opposed to those who feel they have to write vacuous articles most every week in the local paper and blogs and boast their credentials at every glowing chance.

        So yes, I agree.

        1. Alan: You have in recent weeks made DEMANDS on my time and my board’s time and yet you make posts like this which make it very hard for me to get other people to regularly contribute their time and work to the Vanguard.  Please think about that next time before you ask me for anything.

           

        2. Alan: “You have in recent weeks made DEMANDS on my time and my board’s time and yet you make posts like this which make it very hard for me to get other people to regularly contribute their time and work to the Vanguard.  Please think about that next time before you ask me for anything.”

          I asked you to run an article, which you did, thank you, and I’ve been making lots of suggestions on how to improve the site.  Those are “demands”, with full capitalization?  I am making it hard for you to get people to contribute time/work to the Vanguard?  Seriously?  Yes, when the issue I am most passionate about was in a series of Vanguard articles right as the conversion was taking place and I lost literally hours of work, I was pretty irritated; possibly I came across harsh to someone on your staff and if so I will apologize.  I figured if I was having problems with the site, others were having the same issues.  The staff has been quite gracious and professional, and I am not aware of having pushed or stressed anyone, but if there is something I did and the other person is willing, I would be glad to hear them out.

          You seem to have a beef with me that I am not gathering from your statement.  I will be glad to listen.  Please contact me offline if you would like.  You have my contact info.

        3. The interaction between Alan and David is thought provoking. I’ve occasionally wondered why certain Vanguard posters, like Palin and now Alan, don’t just start their own blog.  They seem to disagree with so much of what is written here. But this website is called the People’s Vanguard of Davis, so I guess it takes all kinds. What makes reading this blog enjoyable for me is to skip over any post by Palin. I’ve been able to get the gist of David’s articles, and also read the various opinions, without being poisoned by his/her negative rants. I still read Alan’s comments because in the body of the post, past the pessimism, is some thoughtful remarks. But as far as the Palin pessimism, I’ve seen nothing substantial or thought provoking.

          David, I appreciate the time you spend with readers who adamently disagree with you. Thank you.

        4. Sisterhood, what’s this about your 5th or 6th new ID you’ve used on here in the past few months.  So even though you don’t read my posts so you can’t possibly know what I’m writing about you still just can’t help yourself can you, you just had to attack me just like you done in the past.  It’s your usual passive aggressive style.  If I fire back you’ll go crying to everyone that you’re being picked on so I’ll just let it go.  Either way, why would I bother, since you don’t read my posts anyway.  Right?

        5. “I’ve occasionally wondered why certain Vanguard posters, like Palin and now Alan, don’t just start their own blog.”

          Speaking for myself, not “Palin” (not their real name), I don’t start a blog because I have better things to do with my time, and I really don’t give a crap about most of the issues.  I’m into transportation, water, light, long walks on the beach (#snark#) and community planning, and on occasion, “other things”, when they become interesting.

          If I cared about more things, I’d run for Council, where you have to at least pretend to care a little bit about everything.  God gifted me (and most of you) with certain interests and concerns.  I choose to focus on those things.  Also, I’d make a lousy politician, as when people cross me, except at work for obvious reasons, I tell them to go F themselves.

          “They seem to disagree with so much of what is written here.”

          I do write here, as a commenter, so I guess you are implying I disagree with myself?  That would be oddly self-destructive.

          But seriously, why would someone want to read only what they agree with?  That’s like conservatives who only listen to conservative talk radio, or liberals who only hang out with people who agree with them and reinforce their beliefs.  You can’t learn by living a life where all your input reinforces your own BS.

    2. i think my view of rogers is not that he was being silent, he was being timid.  he didn’t want to speak up previously because there was risk as an interim.  now that his fate is sealed, he could say something.  but who cares?  it’s too late now for him to make any difference.  when he finally spoke up, there was no one listening anyway.

      1. This is where I don’t like anonymous postings.  You want to criticize someone in our City?  Fine, but do it with the courage to state your name.  Saying insulting things about people while hiding behind a cloak of anonymity is cowardice.

        1. sorry alan, but you don’t know what you’re talking about.  i have reasons for not disclosing my name and they have to do with my job and its sensitivity.  so i either shut my mouth or i post on the vanguard where david has set up policies to allow people in sensitive and vulnerable situations to express their opinions without fear of retribution.  sorry but gene is a public figure and his actions are subject to public scrutiny.  live with it.  i’m glad that you have a job that permits you to act like a [edit] in public, i don’t.

        2. sorry alan, but you don’t know what you’re talking about.

          act like a [edited by moderator]

          And now you are not only insulting city employees, but private citizens as well.   Anonymously.  Amazing how people step into the trap of proving the very point I was making about them.

          I am somewhat  OK with taking jabs at elected officials, as it comes with the territory.  They truly are public figures.  Most City employees are doing a job and do not and/or cannot put themselves in the public spotlight nor respond publicly.

          I’ve seen people verbally attack the competence of government employees at Council meetings recently, and someone viciously verbally attacked a potential commission member recently.  Whatever we may think of their behavior, they did it publicly, in full view of all.

          I respect that some people feel they cannot post their name because of their job.  This then gives them a cloak.  From behind that cloak they can say things they could not otherwise say, and that sometimes helps the conversation with information.  However, they are then also given the power to say whatever they want about people with no one knowing who they are.  It’s like an insulting voice from the clouds, or a fist coming out from behind a curtain and vanishing.

          It’s not that I don’t know what I’m talking about, it’s that you disagree with me.  I have stated that I disagree with Vanguard policy on anonymous posters.  You obviously like being able to say whatever you want behind your Vanguard-sanctioned shield.  So do a lot of others here.  Enjoy; you are sanctioned.

        3. Alan, the Vanguard has worked hard since the new site came live a month ago to have a valid e-mail address on file for every registered user so that a poster who chooses for valid reasons to use an alias knows that they are not “unaccountable” in what they post. As a long time poster on this site, Davis Progressive has created a substantial history of consistent posts, with the knowledge that other posters here on the Vanguard will call him out when the content of any of his posts is out of line.

          With that said, how does the presence or absence of “courage” change the content and/or validity of the comment/criticism?

        4. I respect that some people feel they cannot post their name because of their job.  This then gives them a cloak.

          I used to post under my real name until my company was threatened and harmed for things I posted as a private citizen.

          But ask around and I’m sure everyone will agree that I was as big of an ass posting under my real name as I am under my fake name.

          I don’t really see much evidence that posting under a real name or fake name changes anything other than preventing people and their business and their family from being harmed because someone else doesn’t like what they write.

        5. I used to post under my real name until my company was threatened and harmed for things I posted as a private citizen.

          I get that.

          But ask around and I’m sure everyone will agree that I was as big of an ass posting under my real name as I am under my fake name.

          Well, apparently others seeing us as online asses and our agreeing with that assessment is something we have in common.  However, I find your criticism of others is about issues and/or friendly ribbing rather than personal insults.  That is where I have the beef.

          I don’t really see much evidence that posting under a real name or fake name changes anything other than preventing people and their business and their family from being harmed because someone else doesn’t like what they write.

          If someone was bullying a child on the way home from school, the child could tell someone who it was, or the child could challenge the bully to a fight, or the bully could be called out for what they are, or numerous other actions, but the bully would be known.  If a voice from the heavens was insulting the child on the way home from school everyday, the child would be powerless and probably go insane and be institutionalized.

          Not a perfect metaphor, but you get my drift.

          I’ll shut up now, lest my comments deter people from contributing their time and energy to the Vanguard.

      2. DP

        there was risk as an interim”

        I am sorry that I overlooked your post yesterday. If you are still following this thread I am wondering if you would clarify. What risk would you see to Mr. Rogers in speaking his mind freely as an interim manager ?  I doubt that he believed that he was being considered for a permanent position with Davis. I doubt that he is resume building at this point in his career. It doesn’t seem to me that he had much to risk by being frank.

        And, I did smile when I read that “there was no one listening anyway” since you and I at least clearly were.

         

  2. If the council really does have an extra $300.000, how about reimbursing the DACHA residents who lost their down payments (“carrying charges”) when the city took over the DACHA loans?

     

    1. The point was made, and then the decision was made.  So did the point influence the decision?  Has there ever been any example of a higher price tag or negative economic impact influencing a decision of the righteous media-blessed crusade?  The previous city council voted to give a way a city asset worth $50-100 million dollars for $500,000 less than we paid for it only to prevent an extremely de minimis negative impact to a local land preservation local non-profit… even though the success of that non-profit had been and still is only largely because of what the city has provide it.

      The good news is that our city leaders are in good company with leaders from all branches and levels of government.  They can give it all away and then wash away the shame with the suds of media-blessed moral righteousness, and defend their decision with claims of having analyzed the thing to death and walked the line of profound nuance.

      But the truth, as is often the case, is much simpler.  The truth is that there are two paths: business verses social.  We seem to always favor the social path… the one targeting negative human emotions in a never-ending and fruitless attempt to make the angry, sad and frustrated feel happy and satisfied.   The feel good mojo feels good… but at what cost?  And it is not just the cost of the single transaction… it is the accumulated cost that is killing us.

      At some point we will wake up and recognize that government needs to be run more like a business… there is an accounting system.  There are inflows and there are outflows.  There are essential services and there are amenities.  We can certainly strive to achieve great things in the social space, but not without the funds to pay for them.   This truth is what we are failing to accept and demand from our political leaders.

      I do not see this decision by the council to be anything other than more of the same that has got us into such a giant financial hole.   If the police need a tool with similar utility as the MRAP, the city council was absolutely wrong to return it unless they had already identified the availability of funds to replace it with something more socially acceptable.  That is simple business.

      1. The truth is that there are two paths: business verses social.

        That’s only the truth if you choose to see it that way.  Some of us see a wider array of choices that allow a mix of business and social responsibility.

        1. You are correct… except when they directly conflict with each other… as in this case.  And when they have directly conflicted with each other, when in recent memory did the decision take the business path?

  3. Tuesday evening took an odd turn as suddenly two of the councilmembers with the strongest record on fiscal prudence were proposing the city allocate $300,000 for a BearCat or another civilian replacement for the MRAP (mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle), which they conceded would be returned by the city of Davis.

    Were they really proposing to spend the money? Or were they trying to hit home the point that we would have to spend that much to replace a vehicle , that we already have in our possession,  that we obtained for free?

          1. BTW, I don’t know that they knew they were going to lose when they made the proposal.

          2. Talking to each of the five about where they stood on the $300,000 issue … and why they stood there … is an important follow-up story that needs to be researched and written.

        1. Does it really matter why they voted as they did?  I’m sure they had their reasons.  It’s done, we need to now move on as we have other pressing issues in the city.  LOL, sorry Matt, I couldn’t resist.

          1. Actually Barack, I don’t think the story is centered around “the Why” of their vote, but rather centered around how best to spend $300,000 of our General Fund budgeted dollars.

            P.S. Well played choice of phrasing …

  4. In my understanding the current best option is to share a vehicle. Sharing a vehicle would address the majority of police concerns. The remaining concern would be timely extraction in an active shooter incident. I don’t have a count of how many people have this concern.

    For myself, I think if I get shot and I am lying dying within range of the shooter such that no one could come save me in time. I would be ok with it. I am a pretty weak person so I don’t think I can last long enough even if Davis has its own MRAP. Therefore, for me, that is not a concern that I demand someone to address. For people who had brought up the response time argument, it was not made clear to me whether they were just making the point, or that they personal is requesting such new service requirement.

    I am not aware that West Sacramento already has a MRAP. Someone please confirm. I thought only Sacramento has MRAPs.

    If West Sacramento already has a MRAP, then by allowing/confirming that Davis could use it would end the discussion for me. If they don’t, I think our MRAP should go to them. The argument that “Why Davis wants to use a MRAP but can’t tolerate letting it stationed here?”can be countered in two ways:

    1) That West Sacramento needs it more.
    2) Even if West Sac needs it just as much, intolerance in this case makes no functional damage. This is a case where there is no reason to force the MRAP to be parked in Davis when the people in Davis don’t like it, but the people in West Sac do not care.

    If West Sacramento is also against owning an MRAP, then the decision and cost to get a Lenco or Bearcat should be shared. Based on usage, if a Bearcat is $300K, with 25% usage Davis’ share would be $75K. This does not change the decision posed to both Davis and West Sac, that the extra $100K-$200K could be spent elsewhere. But since it seems someone is saying that West Sac already has an MRAP, the decision probably won’t need to go there.

  5. Interesting choice, David:

    If we have extra money for the police, I’d rather it go to additional personnel instead of equipment.

    OK.  a $300k one time purchase, with maybe $20k/year for operations and maintenance.  Let’s say a 10 yr service life.  Annual cost ~ 50k per year.   An additional police “person”  would cost much more for each year for 10 years.

    Unless you were thinking one “person” for maybe 2-3 years, then terminate their employment.

     

    1. Unless you were thinking one “person” for maybe 2-3 years, then terminate their employment.”

      Or unless you were considering a part time employee, or ancillary staff, or other uses for $ 500,000 dollars over a 10 year period, or you were adding into your calculations the expenditure on an item that is anticipated to be sitting idle most of the time as opposed to expenditure on resources ( human or otherwise ) that might be used on a daily basis.

      I think that the value calculation may be a little more complicated than many are making it out to be.

       

      1. Perhaps Davis would have more female officers if part time police work was encouraged. Perhaps America would have less stressed out cops if part time work was encouraged.

  6. There are only a few manufacturers for it, it is highly specialized, but “the reality is that the experience in military situations around the world is that it’s been a complete headache.

    The problem with parts is that there is more than one manufacturer.  A small number were made but not by the same manufacturer making parts even more problematic.

  7. So the city turns back essentially a freebee that would have protected police officers in dangerous situations involving high-powered weapons, proposes spending $300,000 it doesn’t have for a politically correct armored vehicle, in order to replace equipment that is outmoded, outdated, inadequate, broken down and cannot do the job.  The excuses given for not accepting the freebee solution of accepting the MRAP from the Defense Dept. are 1) criminals committing crimes may be former veterans with PTSD; 2) the MRAP is not a politically correct vehicle; 3) a violent crime involving high powered weapons may never occur in Davis (despite the fact that high powered weapons were just confiscated a few weeks ago in Davis on a search warrant); 4) the MRAP may have to be repaired and there is no telling how much that may cost, even though the Defense Dept. is willing to give us replacement parts.  I’m sorry, the logic here escapes me of favoring no MRAP.

    1. So the city turns back essentially a freebee that would have protected police officers in dangerous situations involving high-powered weapons, proposes spending $300,000 it doesn’t have for a politically correct armored vehicle, in order to replace equipment that is outmoded, outdated, inadequate, broken down and cannot do the job.

      a lot of those facts are in dispute.  the freebee issue is in doubt given the replacement/ repair cots.  the protection part is in doubt given questions about its maneuverability and usefulness in urban settings.  and of course you’re completely discounting the fact that the community revolted against it, denigrating public sentiment and legitimate concerns as “political correctness”

        1. Any vehicle needs upkeep, even new ones.  So the initial price of the vehicle was free as compared to buying a new one for $300,000.  Why do people keep ignoring that?

          1. Very good point Barack.

            With that said, since we already have access to a free one, the spending of $300,000 made no sense whatsoever. Neither did incurring the maintenance costs for two identical vehicles.

            One of the factors that hasn’t been discussed much, if at all, is that the combined Yolo County Sheriff and City of Woodland SWAT Team needs a replacement armored vehicle.

          1. Michelle: “How was it not free?”

            The maintenance costs of two armored vehicles are twice as expensive as one armored vehicle. Doubling the expenses is not free.

        2. The maintenance costs of two armored vehicles are twice as expensive as one armored vehicle. Doubling the expenses is not free.

          Why would they need two?  Get rid of the old crappy one that ends up working like a tin can at a shooting range.

          1. Frankly: “Why would they need two? Get rid of the old crappy one that ends up working like a tin can at a shooting range.”

            The real question is why would they need three? That is the current situation. 1) the “crappy old” outdated Peacekeeper, 2) the West Sac procured replacement, and 3) the Davis procured replacement.

      1. Barack, same question to you. Why double the armored vehicle inventory from one to two? Is there anything in the 24-year history of the existing “Peacekeeper” that supports such a doubling?

        1. Matt, that’s easy.  The one we have now is outdated and the one we could’ve got was newer and FREE.

          F R E E

          If I have a 1978 Ford truck and someone offers me a 2003 Ford truck for FREE should I turn it down because I don’t want two?  I can always get rid of the old one.

          1. Barack, you haven’t done your homework. West sac has already purchased one that is just as new and just as FREE as the MRAP we have taken delivery on. As a result the combined Davis/West Sac SWAT Team currently has three armored vehicles at its disposal 1) the outdated Peacekeeper, 2) the West Sac procured replacement, and 3) the Davis procured replacement.

            Your analogy should be, If I have a 1978 Ford truck and my wife just procured a 2003 Ford truck to replace the 1978 Ford truck, and someone offers me a 2003 Ford truck for FREE should I turn it down because I don’t want three? I can always get rid of the old one and that will leave me with the maintenance and upkeep costs of two, when I used to have the maintenance and upkeep costs of one.