If you were on the fence about whether police militarization is a real thing in America, read this story of how a small Wisconsin town thinks armored vehicles are “a necessity” when dealing with grumpy elderly men.
The little Town of Stettin, Wisconsin, rolled out 24 armed officers and an armored vehicle to collect an $86,000 civil judgment from 75-year-old Roger Hoeppner, reports the Milwaukee Journal Sentintel.
Hoeppner called his attorney, but by the time his attorney reached the house Hoeppner had already been carted off in handcuffs.
The police claim they thought they needed the vehicle to seize large items like Hoeppner’s tractors to pay for the judgment, although it appears Hoeppner ended up paying the reduced fine of $80,000 from his bank account.
“People may not always understand why, but an armored vehicle is almost a necessity now,” Sheriff’s Capt. Greg Bean told the Milwaukee Journal Sentintel.
Hoeppner is now suing the town $4.5 million for emotional and economic harm, and damage to his reputation, according to WIFC. The armored truck reportedly frightened his wife so much he had to take her to the hospital.
The dispute between Hoeppner and the town began with a fight over zoning laws, as Hoeppner uses his land to repair wooden pallets and work on antique tractors. According to Hoeppner, the long back and forth legal brawls have already cost him $200,000. He says he is unfairly singled out by town authorities, even though many other residents similarly violate zoning laws.
