To say it isn’t a monstrosity would be doing it a disservice. 

The Manteca Police Departments MRAP vehicle – mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle – is as tall as it is wide. And it’s plenty wide. The black color of the 6-by-6 armored carrier makes it even more imposing, and wherever it goes people stop what they’re doing to pull out their cell phones and take pictures. 

So on Wednesday when it pulled into the Sandpiper Apartments, neighbors started with concerned looks that turned quizzical when the tactical gear-clad SWAT officers onboard jumped out carrying not assault weapons, but a holiday pie and a Thanksgiving basket complete with a red ribbon. 

They expected to see a battering ram. Instead they saw an outreach effort coordinated by the Manteca Ripon Tactical Officer’s Association to put a full Thanksgiving dinner on the table of five local families in need so that they can enjoy the holiday in their own home.

The association – which consists of 13 tactical SWAT officers from the Manteca and Ripon police departments that asked to be referred to as a single team rather than individual people – tends to fly under the radar while the larger police organization and non-profits grab all of the headlines. 

But none of that mattered to the mother of three adolescent boys who has been using the two-month stint that HOPE Ministries to get back on her feet and plant a foundation beneath it. 

All that mattered to Teresa Rivera was the look on the faces of her sons when they saw the SWAT truck roll up and how excited they are that they’ll be eating Thanksgiving dinner together around a table as a family. 

“I think that it’s a blessing that there are groups like these gentlemen that are going out and helping the less fortunate families in the community,” Rivera said. “These are tough times and when you factor in the holidays, they get even tougher. But this year I’m going to get to be home with my kids and they’re going to get to experience that. I’m grateful for that.”

Rivera wasn’t the only one that was grateful for the gift. 

The crew visited another woman on North Street that lives with her seven children, and the family at the Sandpiper Apartments that were thankful for not only the meal, but also the way that it was delivered – rushing outside to climb inside of the rig and go through it with a fine-toothed comb. 

A crew of onlookers that had gathered in the park in the middle of the complex also took a liking to the vehicle – posing for pictures with it and marveling at its size and its complexity. 

“Whenever we go somewhere people usually stop us to look at it,” one team member said. “I mean, it is a SWAT vehicle so there are always going to be people where it goes. But the average citizen wants to see as much of it as they can and usually we have no problem with that.”

So what’s there to take out of Wednesday’s exercise? For one, the very same vehicle that has drawn a fair amount of criticism can also be used as a goodwill ambassador for the department – breaking the ice with people who wouldn’t otherwise come up and talk to them about how many miles it gets for every gallon of fuel and inquiring about how it helps protect SWAT officers as they face real-life scenarios. 

And secondly, a smile and a handshake goes a long way with somebody. 

Yes, the Manteca Police Department’s MRAP is massive. It could very well be the biggest police vehicle in use anywhere around here.

But a vehicle isn’t any good if you don’t use it, so the idea of taking it to pass out Thanksgiving meals was a genius twist on what has been a longstanding community concept. 

Here’s to hoping they do the same thing is done at Christmas time. Even Santa needs an extra layer of security around the holidays, and I’m pretty sure he’ll feel safe riding in this thing.