Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Springfield’s city council is a week away from an up-or-down vote on buying a $445,000 armored truck to replace a 20-year-old truck that won’t start. As some complain of the militarization of the police, chief Joe Behl spoke to the council.

“It puts a bulletproof barrier between us and what could be a threat, and it gives us an opportunity to buy time to make assessments and to do that effectively and efficiently without having to make a split-second decision behind something that’s not going to stop rounds,” said Behl.

A week after suggesting Illinois simply call out the Illinois National Guard, Ald. Roy Williams said Sangamon County got rid of its military-style vehicle, saying the county yielded to public pressure. Williams, calling for budget cuts in all city departments ten days into the fiscal year, cited the county’s action as proof the city does not need such a vehicle. Behl said it proves exactly the opposite.

Alds. Jennifer Notariano, Lakeisha Purchase, and Jeff Cox took a look at the old vehicle to learn about it firsthand. The last time police tried to use the vehicle, it wouldn’t start.

After Behl said the vehicle is vital to protecting officers in, say, hostage situations, some in the audience wondered why the city is going to these lengths to protect police officers as opposed to protecting the community at large.

Because of the election Tuesday, March 17, the next council meeting is Monday, March 16.