My local force recently bought a used armoured personnel carrier (APC) for $100,000 which didn’t go over well with the community. They posted a message explaining they were coming up on fiscal year end and had excess budget they wanted to use up so their budget wouldn’t be reduced next year. That didn’t really help.
It’s mostly used to park next to public events. Arts in the Park? Don’t worry! We got an APC here to protect you! Weekly farmers market? Don’t worry! The APC is here! Sometimes the emergency response team (our version of swat) will also put out a table with all their rifles and gear so they can look cool in front of any teenagers in attendance. It’s weird.