San Diego, Los Angeles Public Schools Receive 18-Ton Armored Vehicle

The San Diego Unified School District received a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle (MRAP) for free last week through Defense Department Program 1033, known as the Excess Property program.

SDUSD Police were one of 623 agencies to receive a MRAP, according to NBC San Diego. School police won't be rolling through the halls and intimidating kids, though. Originally designed to protect American soldiers from improvised explosive devices, the SDUSD police will use the $733,000 heavily armored truck as a rescue vehicle. Los Angeles Unified School District also received a MRAP, as well as three grenade launchers and 61 assault rifles, according to KTLA 5.

Fire and EMS teams will train with the vehicle to deliver medical professionals in difficult areas. The plan is to use the truck if there is a natural disaster, active shooter or other situation which makes getting to victims too risky in anything less than the 18-ton vehicle. The MRAP will be available to all first responders in the area, according to inewsource.

The armored vehicle has been stripped of its weapons. The auto collision and refinishing program at the local high school is giving the truck a new coat of red and white paint. The MRAP will also be stocked with thousands of dollars worth of medical supplies.