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Ridgecrest council hears annual military-equipment report; approves continued use and training
Summary
The City Council received and approved the Ridgecrest Police Department's annual report on military equipment under Assembly Bill 481, including patrol rifles, an armored rescue vehicle (Bearcat), less-lethal conversions and plans to phase in exterior drones. Council approved the report 5-0.
The Ridgecrest City Council on Wednesday approved the police department's annual Assembly Bill 481 military-equipment use report, a presentation by the police chief describing current and planned gear, training and related costs.
Under AB 481, local agencies must disclose acquisition, use and policy for listed equipment. “The Government of California listed several items as military equipment and required us to confer with the council and get these items approved for purchase, use and advise of the ongoing costs of these things,” the chief said during the presentation.
The chief listed active items and recent changes: the department’s armored rescue vehicle (Bearcat) has been deployed 17 times (about half for community events and the remainder for crisis-response or warrant operations); 30 shotguns were converted from…
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