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There’s no doubt that domestic law enforcement agencies on every level have been ramping up their militarization efforts in recent years. In fact, it’s gotten so bad that it has prompted Senator Rand Paul to call for a demilitarization of domestic police departments. “The images and scenes we continue to see in Ferguson resemble war more than traditional police action,” notes Paul in a recent article.
We know that the Department of Homeland Security has been buying up billions of rounds of ammunition, military grade rifles, armored vehicles, riot gear and a host of other supplies. But local police stockpiles have remained fairly hidden from the public, save for the brief peeks we get during mass policing actions like those in Ferguson, Missouri over the last week.
But if you’re interested in what your local county has been stockpiling compliments of The Department of Homeland Security, a database from the military’s Defense Logistics Agency can help.
The Law Enforcement Support Office, under the 1033 program authorized by the National Defense Authorization Act, helps local police departments obtain military equipment for use in their cities. As reported by The Detroit Free Press, over 8,000 participating agencies have taken advantage of LESO offerings from the U.S. military and DHS since the program’s inception:
This law allows for the office to transfer excess Department of Defense property to law enforcement agencies across the United States and its territories.
Since its inception, the 1033 program has transferred more than $5.1 billion worth of property.
In 2013 alone, $449,309,003.71 worth of property was transferred to law enforcement.
Simply choose your State and your County and you’ll have complete access to see how well militarized your local and county police departments are.
Click here to launch the database in a new window for easier viewing.
(Secondary Link to Database Here)You may or may not be surprised to find everything from mine resistant vehicles and grenade launchers to night vision goggles and high powered assault rifles.
Was this mine-resistant vehicle procured by the Champaign County Sherriff? If so, perhaps we should invite Dan Walsh to a GSL meeting in the near future to explain his thinking.
Having the “equipment” doesn’t concern me as much as “how it’s used”, especially formal written policy on its use. Having most of that stuff is likely needed for an area the size of CU. Using it appropriately is the sticking point. Using it inappropriately is the real problem, and a tempting option once it’s in the inventory. This takes some uncommon self-restraint on the part of those charged with deploying this stuff. Remember, to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
I’m also curious if that 100 or so “RIFLE,5.56 MILLIMETER” they acquired are full automatic M4/M16 or semi-automatic only AR variants? After all, we’ve been repeatedly told by our government that an automatic or select-fire rifle is only used for spraying a room full of bullets, killing everyone in sight. If these are real military issued automatic M4/M16 rifles, unfortunately it speaks to the intentions of our local PD.
I voted for, like, and appreciate Sheriff Walsh. I consider him one of the “good guys”. But full disclosure is always a good thing.
After reading crook county’s shopping list we stand no chance against crook county if they invade us.
I did a check several days ago and found out my county got M16 rifles.
I also looked at the cook county list of toys. It looks like they have been buying for a long time. No wonder the city is broke. One southern Illinois county at least had some sense and bought dump trucks and pickup trucks for county use
We need to start a movement nationally to protest and stop the mitilarization of ALL. Police departments. Because this is all happening under our noses. To empower them With enough equipment and supplies. To be used against you and I ……. They will be able to take over our freedom. And wipe out anyone that stands in there way. Just like Hitler. If we don’t stop it well wake up some morning with the cops sitting in a tank in your front yard demanding you to give them your guns. ( behind the tank is a big trailer to carry away what the ever they don’t think we should have. )
Strange, in Montgomery county we got two treadmills and enough ARs to hold off the Zombie Apocalypse. Plus we got a parachute, apparently we have a skydiving deputy that will drop in behind the zombie lines and wreck havoc. Then there are 5 vehicle doors, I would think that our MRAP ( yep, got one)would already have doors, my truck came with doors or I wouldn’t have bought it. We spent $6,450.00 on fitness equipment, the good news, there is no doughnut maker, so the fitness equipment should pay off in lean and trim deputies. If I see a fat deputy I’m going to protest.