Somebody might see you up there
Posted on 02/20/2014 7:51:31 AM PST by Altariel
Residents in some towns have begun standing up to the large armored vehicles that local police departments are receiving from the federal government.
Six-figure grants from the Department of Homeland Security have been funding BearCats and other heavily fortified vehicles in towns and cities nationwide since soon after the 2001 terrorist attacks. Beginning last summer, the government also has handed out 200 surplus vehicles built to withstand mines and bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan, and is considering requests from 750 more communities.
Most police and citizens welcome the extra protection, saying recent mass shootings show any local force could find itself facing an extremely violent or dangerous situation. But antipathy has grown in some pockets of the country—from New York to Ohio to California—which see the machines as symbols of government waste and a militarization of law enforcement, including the growth of SWAT teams and high-tech gadgets in recent decades.
In libertarian-leaning New Hampshire, a state lawmaker just introduced a bill that would ban municipalities from accepting military-style vehicles without approval from voters. That came in response to the Concord City Council's vote in the fall to accept a $258,000 federal grant to buy a BearCat, despite intense opposition from citizens who submitted a 1,500-signature petition and rallied outside City Hall holding signs that said, "More Mayberry, Less Fallujah" and "Thanks But No Tanks!"
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
Each Militia will have to establish their own operating procedures.
Thank you, Think about moving to Maine, it is going to be free nation after the vote in 2018.
That also thickens gasoline, but Styrofoam both thickens and makes it sticky.
The last time I recall the police using any APCs was at Waco but that was "for the Children".
People in towns infested with these weapons of war (and they cannot be classified as anything else) should force through ballot initiatives that all of those tanks shall be painted bright pink with a "Hello Kitty" stenciled onto the hood and doors. Yeah, big man...you're getting ready to slaughter those you swore to serve and protect, but you're going to look like a big ol pussy driving there.
“This” equipment, meaning the current MRAPs? Or military surplus vehicles in general?
Following Hurricane Gloria in 1985 my town’s two WWII era Deuce and a halfs and the 3/4 ton Dodge were used to haul volunteer clearing crews with chainsaws to reopen roads, evacuate elderly to shelters until the power came back on and haul water (in garbage cans and 55 gallon drums, this was before the ubiquitous pallets of bottled water) to people with wells.
We had a Jeep Cherokee, but like all the other 4x4 owners in the area couldn’t pitch in until we were able to get out. Something made possible by the towns old military equip.
I am sorry. I misread your post.. Please forgive me.
Great point. Again those cities are Democrat run and ruined..
No biggie, nothing to forgive, FRiend.
I really do see and share the concern about these things ending up in the hands of overzealous police forces. But given that they are paid for think that there are a lot of appropriate uses they can be put to.
For example, I follow the storm chasing community and some of the groups are trying to get their hands on some. While they are top heavy and susceptable to lifting winds, their armor provides excellent protection from hail and flying debris that routinely damage and destroy civilian chaser vehicles. Plus they can carry a whole mess of equipment and even provide space for chasers to throw down sleeping bags ...
The Ukrainians seem to be getting the hang of it.
That they do. Doubtless, we can improve upon the method.
I would say a lawless federal regime. Which is expressly why I said at the state level. And while the current federal regime wants to involve itself with local police matters, counties and states are very equipped to stop such unconstitutional antics.
States certify local police departments, so they must obey state rules. Importantly, some states are already moving in the direction I propose. And not only for de-paramilitarization.
The Arizona legislature is proposing to change state law to make electronic evidence obtained without a warrant inadmissible in state courts. They don’t care if the NSA, the FBI, the CIA, etc., think it is fine and dandy, and have it approved by FISA courts and bureaucrats. It is not admissible evidence. Importantly, neither are its derivatives.
This means that if the NSA tells some police department that some Juan is a meth dealer because they intercepted his phone calls, they have effectively killed that arrest.
MRAPs are generally very survivable, but they’re also a pretty easy mobility kill. Just the nature of the beast. In the end it’s about who’s riding inside them, and I can’t say I’d be terribly worried on that front. Now if it was a squad of Infantry Soldiers...well, then I’d be worried.
“Rescue” vehicle, my butt!
Thanks for the ping.
I’m in CT but ofen visit Keene and lately the area near Milford ...
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