City to apply for grant to provide OPD with tactical armored vehicle

April 21, 2021 | 12:10 am

Updated April 20, 2021 | 11:50 pm

Graphic by Owensboro Times

City Commissioners on Tuesday approved a grant application for $263,500 to purchase a tactical multipurpose response and rescue vehicle for the Owensboro Police Department. 

If the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security awards the grant to OPD, it will provide the department’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) with an armored vehicle that will enable officers and emergency medical personnel to respond to life-threatening situations with adequate protection. 

According to OPD Chief Art Ealum, the vehicle will provide protection for all entities responding to incidents such as a mass shooting, including medical personnel. 

“In the case of an active shooter situation — whether it be a school or manufacturing plant — it will enable officers to approach that building or facility and potentially save human lives,” Ealum said. “If someone was shot and down, it would keep us adequately covered to allow EMS personnel to go in and treat the wounded.” 

The vehicle can also carry up to 22 civilians at a time, Ealum said. 

“It’d be crammed tight, but if it would keep people out of harm’s way, that would certainly benefit,” he added. 

Ealum noted that OPD currently had a tactical vehicle on hand, but that it was too big and cumbersome to be very effective. 

“These vehicles are more maneuverable,” he said. “In fact, after the Marshall County shooting, they applied for this grant and received it. They can drive up to 55 miles per hour comfortably. It’d take forever to get from here to there in the big, armored personnel vehicles.” 

With mass shootings occurring more often in recent years, Ealum said purchasing a new armored vehicle was all about preparedness for his department. 

“If you look at what’s happening in our country all around us, we want to be proactive,” he said. “We don’t want to wait until after we have an incident and be like, ‘Now we should apply for this.’” 

According to Ealum, the federal government’s homeland security office was eager to provide grants to police departments for this kind of protective equipment. 

“This is something they are wanting to fund these grants for, which is anti-terrorism,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for us. I hope and pray that we get it.” 

According to City Manager Nate Pagan, no match is required for the grant meaning there would be no cost to the City of Owensboro if awarded. 

April 21, 2021 | 12:10 am

Share this Article

Other articles you may like