Lang
9/16/21
Four Iowa City city council candidates mostly agreed on issues presented to them at a forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Johnson County Wednesday, although one topic in particular sparked debate. That’s the city’s use of a mine resistant ambush protected vehicle, of MRAP.
Incumbent mayor Bruce Teague is facing off against candidates Megan Alter and Jason Glass for one of two at-large seats on the council. Shawn Harmsen is running unopposed in District B.
While all four candidates supported using federal American Rescue Fund money for local excluded workers, they differed when it came to the police department’s use of an armored vehicle. The Johnson County Sheriff’s office acquired the MRAP for free in 2014 under a federal program that distributes military equipment to local law enforcement agencies. It’s been used by various local law enforcement agencies as cover when law enforcement officers have confronted active shooters. It has also rescued residents from flooding.
Glass supported the use of the vehicle, saying he was thankful it was available when a shooting occurred near his daughter. But he also conceded that the city needs to set guidelines for its use.
Alter expressed concern that residents of the South District, where she lives, become alarmed when they see the vehicle on their streets. She proposed replacing the MRAP with a less-intimidating vehicle.
Harmsen agreed, saying the city should look for an armored vehicle that doesn’t look “like it’s rolling up to take over and start a firefight with insurgents in the middle of a neighborhood in Iowa City.”
Teague cited the increase in gun violence in Iowa City as a reason to keep an armored vehicle, but felt alternatives should be considered.
The Daily Iowan reports that aside from the candidates and their staffs, volunteers from the League of Women Voters and reporters, only two people attended Wednesday’s forum.
The general election is set for November 2nd.