Mid-Hudson News reports that the Ulster County Legislature on May 16 voted to spend $357,000 to purchase a military-grade vehicle for the sheriff’s office. Legislatores voting to buy the Bearcat G3 armored vehicle cited the fact that there have been 225 mass shootings around the country in 136 days this year. Legislature Chairwoman Tracey Bartels said, “I cannot in good conscience put our officers in harm’s way sending them to face weapons of war created for the sole purpose of killing human beings without the proper tools.... Gun violence is not inevitable, but it is the status quo. We prepare our children by providing armed officers and having them practice active shooter drills. We hope that they will come home safely.” Ulster lawmakers also voted to spend more money to put deputy sheriffs in both the Rondout Valley and Onteora school districts. Read the full story at Mid-Hudson News.