In the wake of Sept. 11, the federal government created the Department of Homeland Security to protect our boarders, identify threats to homeland security and care for citizens in the wake of a disaster or attack.

The Department of Homeland Security recently gave the Eau Claire County Sheriff’s Department grant money to purchase a $186,000 BearCat armored truck about two months ago. BearCat is an acronym for ballistic engineered armored response and rescue counter attack truck.

The truck is designed to be used in cases that involve threats from weapons or explosive devises that might create a dangerous situation for SWAT teams. The Sheriff’s Department said the truck will mainly be used in drug cases and only a few times a year.

If we only intend to use it a few times a year, we don’t really need it.

The Chippewa Valley is one of the safest areas in the nation. There are many places in the country that have greater security risks. The money could have been better spent in a major metropolitan area such as Chicago or New York. Terrorists aren’t living on Water Street. We weren’t concerned about the city’s security to begin with, and we don’t feel any safer knowing we have a big truck.

Furthermore, the main use for the truck in Eau Claire will be for drug busts. Won’t officers still need to get out of the truck and into homes or buildings to arrest drug dealers and manufacturers? While methamphetamine is a major problem in our area, it’s ridiculous to use money earmarked for homeland security on the problem.

With our troops in Iraq screaming for more armored vehicles, it would be much better to have the resources there.

Also, the county simply could borrow a truck from a nearby metro such as Minneapolis or Madison.

And let’s not forget about upkeep. Gas prices have topped the $3 mark. Who’s going to pay to put fuel in this giant? Us.