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A Chisago County Special Weapons and Tactical (SWAT) vehicle has been re-fitted with protective glass gunports, at no cost to taxpayers.  The gift is from a Chisago Lakes area native who has made fabrication and design his profession,  and also has a hobby of amassing a collection of militaristic vehicles.  

Peter Hoefler, Chisago Lakes Class of 1977, said he got into manufacturing equipment for use in the breakfast foods industry well over 20 years ago.  He founded HAF Equipment Inc. specializing in dry solids processing equipment like augers, tube feeders, magnetic separators, dust collection systems and related items.  In cooperation with Aerofab Inc. in Blaine, they did engineering and installation of the ballistics grade glass for the sheriff’s department.  The donation is valued at $2,300.

Hoefler (pronounced hayf-ler) said he struck up a conversation with Chisago County Sergeant Matt Beckman at an event sponsored by Red Bull, for military families. Beckman accompanied a county SWAT vehicle that was on display.  Hoefler offered to enhance the operations safety of the vehicle with two MRAP ballistic glass gunports.
Beckman took this to the County Board, who accepted the donation officially in early July.  

Hoefler commented that this is the same protective glass used in armored vehicles at war.  He added, he was happy to help keep law enforcement safe.
The installation on the “peace-keeper” SWAT truck was completed at the Aerofab company shop.

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