mrap 2

In this 2014 Star-Ledger file photo, Middletown Police SFC William Colangelo climbs down from the cab of the department's MRAP (mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle) which they acquired last year through the government's surplus 1033 program. Colangelo stressed that their primary purpose for the vehicle is for use in high water rescues and flood zones.

(Star-Ledger)

MOORESTOWN -- Through a federal program that lends unused military gear to local law enforcement departments, Moorestown could get a type of armored vehicle commissioned by the U.S. Marine Corps in 2008, philly.com reports.

Both the police department and council are weighing the request for the Navistar MaxxPro Dash, which would be acquired through the federal 1033 program that lends out equipment such as the mine-resistant vehicle to various requesting agencies, according to the report.

According to philly.com's story, Moorestown police would like the vehicle to replace a 1998 van currently in the fleet and provide protection from threats such as from larger caliber bullets. Also, both police and council are aiming to scale back the armored vehicle's military appearance.

A council meeting on March 23 will allow for questions from the public regarding the effort.

Through the federal program -- which got its start in the early 1990s -- law enforcement agencies in New Jersey have acquired $32.8 million worth of military surplus gear, according to a 2014 Star-Ledger story.

According to the state attorney general's office, there are no costs to the receiving agencies save shipping or transportation.

Late last year, the Bergen County Sheriff's Office nixed a plan to obtain two armored mine-resistant vehicles from the military. That's not to say such gear doesn't have a place in non-combat zones. Also last year, a military surplus Humvee part of the Belmar police fleet was put into action to cross a beach and rescue a surfer.

Though the program has been in operation for decades, many in the past have called to question the use of gear designed for war zones in suburban settings. The issue was addressed again following the police response to protests in Ferguson, Missouri over the shooting death of unarmed teen Michael Brown.

Photos of that response included armored vehicles and officers in body armor carrying tear gas launchers and automatic weapons after protestors looted businesses, set fires and flipped over vehicles.

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Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@southjerseymedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.