Williamsport council approves state-funded Lenco Bearcat after debate over policing and regional role

Williamsport’s City Council voted April 2 to accept a state grant purchase of a 2026 Lenco Bearcat armored vehicle, a $353,529 acquisition that council members and the police chief said will cost the city no local tax dollars.

Chief Taviano told council the vehicle is funded by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and is sponsored by state lawmakers. He described the Bearcat as a multi‑purpose vehicle that ‘‘protects civilians and first responders in high‑risk situations’’ and can be used for armed threats, barricaded subjects, and natural‑disaster response.

Council discussion centered on two recurring concerns: the optics and effect of increasingly militarized equipment in municipal policing, and whether the expense to operate and maintain such capabilities should be shared at the county level. Councilwoman Millie said she was grateful the purchase required no city funds but urged restraint in deployment, saying she did not want the vehicle ‘‘showing up in my neighborhood for a routine kind of call.’’

Several members said they supported the vehicle’s role in true emergency scenarios while asking the chief to adopt conservative deployment policies. One council member said the city should pursue a longer‑term plan to make specialized resources regional rather than borne solely by Williamsport.

Chief Taviano and council members also noted anticipated low ongoing costs: the vehicle is built on a commercial truck chassis and, according to the chief, will be maintained in‑house with routine service and modest annual insurance costs. The chief said the vehicle is intended for both tactical incidents and disaster response, including flood and evacuation missions where armored transport can enable safe access.

The motion to accept the grant and authorize the purchase passed on a roll‑call vote with the five council members present voting yes. Council members said they expect continued conversations about regional cost‑sharing and formal usage policies before routine deployment of the vehicle.

The council did not amend the grant conditions; next procedural steps are to complete procurement and integrate the vehicle into department protocols, with council members signaling they will seek clear, written limits on routine use and plans for regional partnerships in the future.