Monona committee recommends acquiring armored rescue vehicle using asset-forfeiture funds

On July 23 the Monona Public Safety Committee voted to recommend that the city pursue acquisition of a used armored rescue vehicle offered by the City of Madison, using restricted asset‑forfeiture funds. The vehicle is a 2005 armored pickup described by staff as a heavy pickup with an armored shell and roughly 40,000 miles on the odometer. Police staff said the vehicle would be acquired through the asset‑forfeiture account and would not use the city’s general fund. Committee members and staff framed the proposal as a narrowly scoped public‑safety tool. Detective Sergeant Brian Losby, who led the presentation, called it “a unique, very rare opportunity” and described the vehicle as “essentially a very large pickup truck ... an f 150 ... with an armored shell.” Losby said the vehicle could be used to approach and protect people and officers in armed…