News & Press Releases

keyboard_arrow_leftView All

Questions and Concerns from AB481 Board of Supervisors Meeting on 10/11/22

On October 11th 2022, Sheriff Scardina and Captain Harrington presented to the Marin County Board of Supervisors on AB481. In response to the meeting, we’ve compiled a list of questions and concerns from the meeting. 

Question: Do any other agencies in the Bay Area have a Bearcat or similar armored vehicle?   

Answer: Yes. It is common for an agency with a Special Response Team (SRT/SWAT) to have an armored vehicle. The Marin County Sheriff’s Office Bearcat is a regional asset that is available to other agencies in and out of the County of Marin upon request.
 
Question: Have other agencies in the region called on us for support and/or use of the Bearcat?
 
Answer: Yes.
 
Question: When was the last time the Bearcat was deployed and what were the circumstances?
 
Answer: The Bearcat was last utilized in 2019. The use of the Bearcat was requested in association with search warrant service stemming from quadruple homicide that occurred in Contra Costa County at a Halloween party. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office believed suspects associated with the homicide were in Marin City and were considered armed and dangerous.
 
Question: Will you include the location/city in future publications of your chart where equipment listed under AB-481 are utilized?
 
Answer: Yes.
 
Question: Will you be tracking quantities of equipment owned by the Marin County Sheriff’s Office for each category in the future?
 
Answer: Yes. We will be tracking the quantities, use and maintenance of the equipment and it will be publicized in an annual report.
 
Concern: This type of equipment is an overkill and will be used primarily against minorities and disadvantaged citizens.
 
Response: The equipment’s use is not determined by someone’s race or social economic status. The use of the equipment is determined by the circumstances surrounding the incident and the safety of First Responders and the communities we serve.
 
Concern: Are you going to use this type of equipment against Trump supporters?
 
Response: Someone’s political views or expression does not determine the use of equipment. The use of the equipment is determined by the circumstances surrounding the incident and the safety of First Responders and the communities we serve.
 
Question: AB481 applies to all Law Enforcement Agencies?
 
Response: Yes.
 
Question: On an annual basis, you will be updating your inventory of items listed under AB481, list incidents the equipment was utilized for, providing an annual report and be open to additional public comment about the equipment?
 
Response: Yes.
keyboard_arrow_up