As a member of the Faith Coalition for the Common Good s Transformative Justice (TJ) Task Force, I have worked with other members to oppose the militarization of Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell s law enforcement operations, and in particular the sheriff s planned acquisition of a military vehicle.
The TJ Task Force believes that law enforcement works best when it acts respectfully toward the community it serves. The plain purpose of a military vehicle, however, is to intimidate individuals and the public at large. The task force agrees with the majority of Americans on this issue, who responded to a recent poll by saying that militarization of community law enforcement has gone too far. Even though the sheriff says he wouldn t use the vehicle against peaceful protestors, I ve participated in political rallies, and the prospect of encountering a tank-like vehicle is frightening.