Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSmall-Town Cops Pile Up on Useless Military Gear
By Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai
June 26, 2012
Small police departments across America are collecting battlefield-grade arsenals thanks to a program that allows them to get their hands on military surplus equipment amphibious tanks, night-vision goggles, and even barber chairs or underwear at virtually no cost, except for shipment and maintenance.
Over the last five years, the top 10 beneficiaries of this Department of Defense Excess Property Program included small agencies such as the Fairmount Police Department. It serves 7,000 people in northern Georgia and received 17,145 items from the military. The cops in Issaquah, Washington, a town of 30,000 people, acquired more than 37,000 pieces of gear.
In 2011 alone, more than 700,000 items were transferred to police departments for a total value of $500 million. This year, as of May 15, police departments already acquired almost $400 million worth of stuff. Last years record would have certainly been shattered if the Arizona Republic hadnt revealed in early May that a local police department used the program to stockpile equipment and then sold the gear to others, something that is strictly forbidden. Three weeks after the revelation, the Pentagon decided to partly suspend distribution of surplus material until all agencies could put together an up-to-date inventory of all the stuff they got through the years. A second effort, which gives federal grants to police departments to purchase equipment, is still ongoing, however. According to the Center for Investigative Reporting, since 9/11, the grants have totaled $34 billion.
Which means billions of dollars worth of military gear are in the hands of small-town cops who neither need the equipment nor are properly trained to use it, critics charge. At best, its a waste of resources (since the gear still has to be maintained). At worst, it could cost lives.
more
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/06/cops-military-gear/
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
3 replies, 1227 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (5)
ReplyReply to this post
3 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Small-Town Cops Pile Up on Useless Military Gear (Original Post)
n2doc
Jun 2012
OP
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)1. I'm guessing this writer was in a coma from Sept. 10, 2001 to recently...
Because it's been perpetual Christmas Day for podunk police forces for a very, very long time now...
HopeHoops
(47,675 posts)2. Ours doesn't. They only arrest me with standard equipment.
They DID almost shoot and taser me because I had a dollar store calculator in my back pocket.
AnotherMcIntosh
(11,064 posts)3. I like the re-sale part:
Last years record would have certainly been shattered if the Arizona Republic hadnt revealed in early May that a local police department used the program to stockpile equipment and then sold the gear to others, something that is strictly forbidden.