Issue link: http://lawandordermag.epubxp.com/i/98779
W The refurbished Lenco Bearcat includes a new engine, new glass and fresh paint on a stripped body. hen law enforcement agencies are faced with maintaining public safety services on shrinking budgets, every frst responder, from the patrol offcer to the tactical team member, is affected. Police administrators are assigned the task of fnding ways to cut costs without compromising the safety of our neighborhoods and communities. Many agencies implement hiring freezes, incorporate police mobility vehicles into their feets, and / or relegate equipment and technology upgrades to the back burner. Big ticket purchases, like armored rescue vehicles, are often the last to qualify for funding. In response to this, Lenco Armored Vehicles recently introduced an innovative program that offers smaller agencies on tight budgets the opportunity to purchase quality pre-owned vehicles at an affordable price. Lenco Armored Vehicles is a leading designer and manufacturer of armored vehicles for law enforcement agencies, state police and sheriff���s offce SWAT teams, and the military. Since 1981, the company has produced over 5,000 vehicles in over 40 countries worldwide. Lenco���s product line includes the BEAR�� and BearCat�� Armored Response & Rescue vehicles, with mission specifc variants for Police, SWAT and Special Response Teams; MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected); MedEvac / Ambulance; Bomb Response / EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal); Anti-Riot and Civil Disturbance Response; and High-Level Personal Protection. Lenco developed its core line of armored vehicles as an alternative to non-commercial, specialized military vehicles, building them on heavyduty commercial-truck chassis platforms. As such, warranty-covered repairs, maintenance service, and replacement parts can be handled at any number of OEM dealers, truck centers, and retail parts stores, offering signifcant savings. All Lenco armored trucks are built with Mil-Spec steel armor plate certifed to defeat multi-hit attacks from 7.62mm Armor Piercing and/ or .50 Cal BMG. Ceilings and foors provide enhanced blast and fragmentation protection, while ballistic glass windows offer superior clarity and the same multi-hit defeat. With a long list of standard equipment and available options, Lenco armored vehicles can be designed to meet mission-specifc requirements. Lenny Light, Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Lenco, said the Gen I BearCat Trade-In Program was introduced in 2011 when several customers asked about trading in their First Generation BearCat against the purchase of a new one. While most of Lenco���s vehicles are used by law enforcement for SWAT purposes, the company also provides vehicles to federal agencies and the military. These military and government agencies utilize the vehicles on a more consistent basis, often running them 24/7, resulting in excessive wear in a shorter period of time. As a result, they are in pretty rough shape when they are traded in and generally require full refurbishment. Complete refurbishment of a used BearCat consists of stripping down the vehicle, installing a new Ford engine, replacing all glass, and fully repainting the vehicle, inside and out. All refurbished BearCats offer Lenco���s proven 50-caliber armor protection and proprietary rotating roof hatch with a counter-balance lift system. The interior is fully upgraded with seating for 10 operators, and is equipped with new bench www.lawandordermag.com 19