(Photo: Sheriff's Department of Richland County, South Carolina)
Jun 09, 2014
Under the Obama administration, surplus weapons from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan--from grenade launchers to machine guns to silencers--have militarized police departments across the United States at unprecedented levels, the New York Timesrevealed in an investigation published Sunday.
Pentagon data shows a massive transfer of military weapons to local law enforcement on Obama's watch, including "tens of thousands of machine guns; nearly 200,000 ammunition magazines; thousands of pieces of camouflage and night-vision equipment; and hundreds of silencers, armored cars and aircraft," writes journalist Matt Apuzzo.
Since 2006, police departments across the United States have received 432 Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) armored vehicles, 435 other armored vehicles, and 533 planes and helicopters, the report reveals.
The trend is attracting increasing attention from journalists. Mark Alesia writes for the Indianapolis Star, "[T]o some, the introduction of equipment designed for war in Fallujah, Iraq, to the streets of U.S. towns and cities raises questions about the militarization of civilian police departments." He adds, "Does it blur the line between civilian police and the military?"
The weapons have been handed over through the little-known military transfer program, which was established by Congress in the early 90s and allows the Department of Defense to give "surplus" weapons to local police and sheriffs. In addition to the free giveaway program, several police departments have applied for federal grant money to purchase military fighting vehicles and other equipment, Apuzzo notes.
These weapons are sent to police departments that are already heavily weaponized, thanks in part to the surge in SWAT teams since the 1980s.
People across the United States are pushing back against the militarization of local police. From Oakland, California to Boston, Massachusetts, opposition is growing against the increased militarization of policing across the United States.
"It just seems like ramping up a police department for a problem we don't have," said Shay Korittnig, speaking at a public meeting against Neenah, Wisconsin's acquisition of an armored, according to the Times. "This is not what I was looking for when I moved here, that my children would view their local police officer as an M-16-toting, SWAT-apparel-wearing officer."
"People who are under assault by police and other U.S. law enforcement agents want resources invested that will actually strengthen our communities, from affordable housing to better health care and schools, and support for other vital community institutions," wrote Laila Murad, Boston organizer with the Free Tarek Mehanna campaign, in a Waging Nonviolencearticle about community efforts to oppose militarized policing.
_____________________
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Sarah Lazare
Sarah Lazare was a staff writer for Common Dreams from 2013-2016. She is currently web editor and reporter for In These Times.
Under the Obama administration, surplus weapons from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan--from grenade launchers to machine guns to silencers--have militarized police departments across the United States at unprecedented levels, the New York Timesrevealed in an investigation published Sunday.
Pentagon data shows a massive transfer of military weapons to local law enforcement on Obama's watch, including "tens of thousands of machine guns; nearly 200,000 ammunition magazines; thousands of pieces of camouflage and night-vision equipment; and hundreds of silencers, armored cars and aircraft," writes journalist Matt Apuzzo.
Since 2006, police departments across the United States have received 432 Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) armored vehicles, 435 other armored vehicles, and 533 planes and helicopters, the report reveals.
The trend is attracting increasing attention from journalists. Mark Alesia writes for the Indianapolis Star, "[T]o some, the introduction of equipment designed for war in Fallujah, Iraq, to the streets of U.S. towns and cities raises questions about the militarization of civilian police departments." He adds, "Does it blur the line between civilian police and the military?"
The weapons have been handed over through the little-known military transfer program, which was established by Congress in the early 90s and allows the Department of Defense to give "surplus" weapons to local police and sheriffs. In addition to the free giveaway program, several police departments have applied for federal grant money to purchase military fighting vehicles and other equipment, Apuzzo notes.
These weapons are sent to police departments that are already heavily weaponized, thanks in part to the surge in SWAT teams since the 1980s.
People across the United States are pushing back against the militarization of local police. From Oakland, California to Boston, Massachusetts, opposition is growing against the increased militarization of policing across the United States.
"It just seems like ramping up a police department for a problem we don't have," said Shay Korittnig, speaking at a public meeting against Neenah, Wisconsin's acquisition of an armored, according to the Times. "This is not what I was looking for when I moved here, that my children would view their local police officer as an M-16-toting, SWAT-apparel-wearing officer."
"People who are under assault by police and other U.S. law enforcement agents want resources invested that will actually strengthen our communities, from affordable housing to better health care and schools, and support for other vital community institutions," wrote Laila Murad, Boston organizer with the Free Tarek Mehanna campaign, in a Waging Nonviolencearticle about community efforts to oppose militarized policing.
_____________________
Sarah Lazare
Sarah Lazare was a staff writer for Common Dreams from 2013-2016. She is currently web editor and reporter for In These Times.
Under the Obama administration, surplus weapons from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan--from grenade launchers to machine guns to silencers--have militarized police departments across the United States at unprecedented levels, the New York Timesrevealed in an investigation published Sunday.
Pentagon data shows a massive transfer of military weapons to local law enforcement on Obama's watch, including "tens of thousands of machine guns; nearly 200,000 ammunition magazines; thousands of pieces of camouflage and night-vision equipment; and hundreds of silencers, armored cars and aircraft," writes journalist Matt Apuzzo.
Since 2006, police departments across the United States have received 432 Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) armored vehicles, 435 other armored vehicles, and 533 planes and helicopters, the report reveals.
The trend is attracting increasing attention from journalists. Mark Alesia writes for the Indianapolis Star, "[T]o some, the introduction of equipment designed for war in Fallujah, Iraq, to the streets of U.S. towns and cities raises questions about the militarization of civilian police departments." He adds, "Does it blur the line between civilian police and the military?"
The weapons have been handed over through the little-known military transfer program, which was established by Congress in the early 90s and allows the Department of Defense to give "surplus" weapons to local police and sheriffs. In addition to the free giveaway program, several police departments have applied for federal grant money to purchase military fighting vehicles and other equipment, Apuzzo notes.
These weapons are sent to police departments that are already heavily weaponized, thanks in part to the surge in SWAT teams since the 1980s.
People across the United States are pushing back against the militarization of local police. From Oakland, California to Boston, Massachusetts, opposition is growing against the increased militarization of policing across the United States.
"It just seems like ramping up a police department for a problem we don't have," said Shay Korittnig, speaking at a public meeting against Neenah, Wisconsin's acquisition of an armored, according to the Times. "This is not what I was looking for when I moved here, that my children would view their local police officer as an M-16-toting, SWAT-apparel-wearing officer."
"People who are under assault by police and other U.S. law enforcement agents want resources invested that will actually strengthen our communities, from affordable housing to better health care and schools, and support for other vital community institutions," wrote Laila Murad, Boston organizer with the Free Tarek Mehanna campaign, in a Waging Nonviolencearticle about community efforts to oppose militarized policing.
_____________________
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.