ACLU Asks Bergen County Sheriff to Withdraw Request for Armored Vehicles

The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey has formally written to Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino, asking him to withdraw his request to acquire two armored military vehicles for the county.

In a letter, the organization said the armored vehicles could lead to “increased risks of violence, property destruction and undermined civil liberties,” according to nj.com.

The letter, signed by ACLU NJ Public Policy Director Ari Rosmarin, said the armored vehicles, or MRAPs, are designed for use in combat war zones and that their use could lead to an unnecessary militarization of the police force.

To read more, click here.

To see the Sheriff’s letter to the Editor explaining why the county would benefit from having the vechicles, click here.