If you're like me and a bit alarmed at the Militarization of local police departments nationwide, then let me give you a disturbing fact that you're probably already aware of.
The Federal Government is funding it. And they're doing it nationwide, in almost every town and city...big and small...and the locals are accepting it greedily.
I have a Google Alert setup specifically to let me know of any news on the sale of armored vehicles inside the US. I've quietly watched this for the past two weeks and its been stunning. Almost everyday a city counsel, board of alderman etc...are approving the acceptance of Federal Funds for the purchase of "life saving" armored vehicles. Check this out via the Union Leader....
Concord is poised to accept $258,000 in federal funding to buy an armored vehicle that police say would provide protection for officers and civilians alike during a terrorist attack, riot or shooting incident.But some - notably the New Hampshire Civil Liberties Union - are questioning the increasing use of what they call "militarized" equipment by civilian police forces.A few things.
Concord's City Council will hold a public hearing on Aug. 12 about the proposed purchase of a BearCat G3 rescue vehicle, paid for entirely by a grant from the Department of Homeland Security.The police department applied for the grant on behalf of the Central New Hampshire Special Operations Unit, which includes 20 local communities, Merrimack County Sheriff's Office and Plymouth State University. The SOU has an "early 80s-vintage" Peacekeeper armored vehicle, but it needs to be repaired "constantly," Concord Police Chief John Duval said.
Concord's City Council unanimously approved the grant application for a new BearCat last fall, according to Duval. But in the months since, some have raised concerns about just how and when such a vehicle would be used.
Duval said he understands concerns about government overreach, especially in light of recent revelations about government surveillance of telephone and email records. But he said those questions need to be asked "in context."Built on a Ford chassis, the BearCat, Duval said, is "an armor-plated box on wheels."
"That's all it is. It is not digital communication, it's not a listening device, it's not weaponry, it's not any of those things.
"Every year," Duval said, "police officers are lost in the line of duty protecting the rights of citizens. Tactical response units go into known lethal, hostile situations.
"And this vehicle is simply a vehicle to remove people who may be in harm's way, remove injured parties and bring police officers in closer."
* Funded entirely by the Federal Govt.
* Emphasis is placed on life saving work.
* Acknowledges govt over reach but ignores the chilling effect that militarization has on local populations
This is a big ticket item. We don't know whats going on behind the scenes with body armor, weaponry, communication etc...
This is the Local Army that could rival the US military that Obama was talking about. Standardization of local PD's nationwide is a logical step toward a federal police force. Note, I said police force, not investigative agency.
For once, I find myself applauding the ACLU. It seems that only the ACLU and Libertarians are upset about this. Everyone else is sloganeering about "not having anything to hide"...
Hey Sol,
ReplyDeleteI've stayed away from your blog for quite a while now, because I disagree with quite a bit you say and I'm no longer really interested in slanging matches that achieve nothing at the end of the day, but forgive me if I'm wrong, but is this vehicle not replacing a like capability that has been in-service for 30 odd years?
Do not the officers who operate this vehicle deploy it dozens or perhaps hundreds of times per year against persons armed with weapons that will penetrate if not decimate any soft-skinned vehicle? (Any 556mm or 7.62mm rifle / carbine?) Can you honestly ask ANYONE to walk towards that sort of firepower without a reasonable degree of armoured protection?
I know you're concerned about militarisation of law enforcement operations, but do you honestly expect inadequately armed and equipped law enforcement personnel to put themselves in situations you wouldn't put soldiers or marines in?
The other day you waxed lyrical about how effective one motivated former soldier was against law enforcement personnel, but now you're concerned that law enforcement personnel want to deploy a capability that will protect them from that one motivated soldier?
Hypocritical much?
hypocritical?
Deletenot at all.
the point is nuanced but important. SWAT should be tool that is used infrequently. but because of the militarization that we see going on, every problem is a SWAT problem. i was watching American Greed on CNBC. it told the story of two 77 year old ladies that were involved in a murder scheme that involved running over homeless men with their cars.
do you know what the prosecutors did to arrest these two old women? they assembled a force of over 100 agents in SWAT gear, with several dozen LAPD beat officers and did a raid on their tiny apt.
if two beat cops couldn't take down two old ladies then they need better training.
for the incident in LA with the experienced Sailor/former LEO with weapons training? yeah SWAT makes sense.
for 99 percent of the issues that they're used for....no!
Nice to see Obama's White House has got its priorities. Record numbers of American kids going hungry, but at least the police will be safe when they put the food riots down! A bit over the top that but like all socialists your president rails against security measures taken by the opposition, but when in power they double the previous administration's efforts. I wonder how long it is before a US citizen on US soil is killed by a drone? I bet we see within the decade.
ReplyDeleteThe one problem with the BearCat's is that they are not built to survive and take a hit from an IED or RPG. One well placed hit from an RPG or IED will knock out the BearCat, and it doesn't have to take a genius or a smart terrorist to figure it out. If past history has taught us, those Armoured cars that these police depts are getting, they will never stand a chance against a well financed, well armed Drug cartel or organized crime family or terrorist. I've often predicted this, that it's only a matter of time before a drug cartel, organized crime family or a terrorist starts using IEDS, RPG's or military grade weapons against police depts with BearCat.
ReplyDeletePlease do not use Kalifornia as a measure of what goes on in the rest of the country. We all know they are different out there.. Tho the standardization has begun. Three or more years ago the feds made local PD get rid of 10 codes for plain speak so in case of a terrorist attack multiple agencies could work together. Oh and they made it mandatory or any federal money going to the department would stop.
ReplyDeletei used the incidents in Kalifornia simply as examples of the over use of SWAT. more chilling is what happened in the Mega-lopolis of Boston, New York, DC area with the bombing suspects.
Deletewe saw martial law without the declaration. we saw city and state officials give orders without the weight of law, yet were enforced at the point of a gun...so California was once the bellweather but now its the Northeast.