In the closing days of the campaign, sheriff candidates Wes Barr and Jeff Regan have some sharp differences on many issues. On Friday’s WTAX Morning NewsWatch, the two met in a candidate’s forum to make their arguments.
On the military-type armored vehicle the department has, Barr says there is no expense in keeping the MRAP vehicle(Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) to give the department more flexibility for emergency situations.
“There is no cost. It is already here. It is already paid for. I believe I have a responsibility to both the citizens and deputies to keep them safe,” Barr argued.
Regan says there is no place for a vehicle like that in a police force fleet.
“I don’t support keeping it. It is about perception and there is no room for a combat vehicle in a urban or rural environment,” says Regan.
The department received the surplus military vehicle for the cost of shipping it to Springfield.
When it comes to the use of body cameras, both support them but Barr says he would take a measured approach and wait to see if the Illinois General Assembly issues state-wide standards.
“In Illinois, there is no law regarding body cameras. There is a state-wide law about dash cams. We need to slow-down and see if there will be a state policy,” Barr says.
Regan countered that the devices protect both the public and police. He says they are street-proven.
“I’ve done exhaustive research. They are affordable and there is grant money available to purchase them. My opponent doesn’t understand the intricacies involved,” countered Regan.
The podcast for the forum is under this pages Podcast tab.