SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
An Honeywell T-Hawk UAV, also known as the beer-keg drone. The Miami-Dade Police Department became the first major metropolitan area police to acquire this drone in January 2011. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
Police departments across the US have begun to amass 'battlefield-grade arsenals' thanks to a new federal program which provides excess military equipment to state and local civilian law enforcement agencies, the Danger Room reported Tuesday.
The program titled the "Department of Defense Excess Property Program" facilitates the selling of military surplus equipment, such as amphibious tanks, at "virtually no cost except for shipment and maintenance" to small town departments.
Police departments across the US have begun to amass 'battlefield-grade arsenals' thanks to a new federal program which provides excess military equipment to state and local civilian law enforcement agencies, the Danger Room reported Tuesday.
The program titled the "Department of Defense Excess Property Program" facilitates the selling of military surplus equipment, such as amphibious tanks, at "virtually no cost except for shipment and maintenance" to small town departments.
As of May 15th, the program had distributed almost $400 million worth of military arsenal to small town police departments within 2012 alone. In 2011, more than 700,000 items were transferred to police departments for a total value of $500 million.
"There's been an unmistakable trend toward more and more militarization of American law enforcement...There's no justification for them having that kind of equipment, for one obvious reason, and that is if they have it, they will find a way to use it. And if they use it they will misuse it altogether too many times," stated Norm Stamper, former Chief of the Seattle Police Department.
* * *
The Danger Room: Small-Town Cops Pile Up on Useless Military Gear
* * *
A Puma armored rescue vehicle acquired by the Oxford Police Department, Alabama. Photo Courtesy of Chief of Police Bill Partridge
# # #
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. |
Police departments across the US have begun to amass 'battlefield-grade arsenals' thanks to a new federal program which provides excess military equipment to state and local civilian law enforcement agencies, the Danger Room reported Tuesday.
The program titled the "Department of Defense Excess Property Program" facilitates the selling of military surplus equipment, such as amphibious tanks, at "virtually no cost except for shipment and maintenance" to small town departments.
As of May 15th, the program had distributed almost $400 million worth of military arsenal to small town police departments within 2012 alone. In 2011, more than 700,000 items were transferred to police departments for a total value of $500 million.
"There's been an unmistakable trend toward more and more militarization of American law enforcement...There's no justification for them having that kind of equipment, for one obvious reason, and that is if they have it, they will find a way to use it. And if they use it they will misuse it altogether too many times," stated Norm Stamper, former Chief of the Seattle Police Department.
* * *
The Danger Room: Small-Town Cops Pile Up on Useless Military Gear
* * *
A Puma armored rescue vehicle acquired by the Oxford Police Department, Alabama. Photo Courtesy of Chief of Police Bill Partridge
# # #
Police departments across the US have begun to amass 'battlefield-grade arsenals' thanks to a new federal program which provides excess military equipment to state and local civilian law enforcement agencies, the Danger Room reported Tuesday.
The program titled the "Department of Defense Excess Property Program" facilitates the selling of military surplus equipment, such as amphibious tanks, at "virtually no cost except for shipment and maintenance" to small town departments.
As of May 15th, the program had distributed almost $400 million worth of military arsenal to small town police departments within 2012 alone. In 2011, more than 700,000 items were transferred to police departments for a total value of $500 million.
"There's been an unmistakable trend toward more and more militarization of American law enforcement...There's no justification for them having that kind of equipment, for one obvious reason, and that is if they have it, they will find a way to use it. And if they use it they will misuse it altogether too many times," stated Norm Stamper, former Chief of the Seattle Police Department.
* * *
The Danger Room: Small-Town Cops Pile Up on Useless Military Gear
* * *
A Puma armored rescue vehicle acquired by the Oxford Police Department, Alabama. Photo Courtesy of Chief of Police Bill Partridge
# # #