San Diego school police to return armoured military vehicle after negative reaction

SAN DIEGO – San Diego’s school district plans to return a military surplus vehicle obtained by its police department after negative reaction.

San Diego Unified School District Superintendent Cindy Marten said in a statement Thursday night that some members of the community are uncomfortable with the armoured personnel carrier and that makes school officials uncomfortable.

The district is one of many around the country that received an MRAP — short for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle — or other military equipment through the Department of Defence Excess Property Program.

The school district said it intended to use it as a rescue vehicle in the event of a campus shooting or similar emergency.

An Associated Press report Wednesday said the district intended to put a red cross on it to make it appear less menacing.

But in the Thursday’s statement it said after considering public sentiment it was best to return it.