To Protect And Conduct War On The American Public
BY Herschel Smith
3 years, 4 months ago
The Myrtle Beach Police Department obtained AR-15s, sniper scopes and a military tactical vehicle from the Pentagon through an obscure program that provides surplus military equipment to law enforcement, an open records request reveals.
Although officers maintain the program is essential for meeting threats on the ground, critics say it contributes to the militarization of the police at a time when many are asking for more restraint from law enforcement.
“Patrol rifles are rifles carried in cars for Patrol Rifle-certified officers,” said Cpl. Tom Vest, spokesperson for MBPD. “If an officer is describing a threat that is bigger than the pistol can handle, then they can be used.”
To obtain the equipment, MBPD submits applications to the S.C. Law Enforcement Support Office (LESO), which determines whether the agency meets the right criteria.
Since the equipment is already paid for, MBPD is only responsible for covering the cost of transportation and maintenance.
Controlled items — like the the Mine-resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) military tactical vehicle and the 18 AR-15s — are audited by LESO every year. Other controlled items include infrared scopes and medical supplies.
Over its decade-long participation in the program, the department has acquired nearly 150 controlled items collectively worth over $2.7 million.
Uncontrolled items only have to be tracked through the first year.
“Things like boots, t-shirts, multi-tools, sunglasses, watches, etc., are not controlled items and were issued to officers, and are no longer tracked based on the time frame,” Vest said in an email.
[ … ]
To some, an MBPD recruitment video from 2019 showcasing some of the equipment plays into that criticism.
In the clip, posted to the department’s YouTube page, officers wearing camo fatigues file out of an MRAP and brandish M16s as they carry out a raid of a dilapidated warehouse, throwing a flash bang before storming a room on the top floor. An action movie score plays in the background.
Several in the comments section call out the militaristic image put forth by the department.
“This makes your department look like a military assault unit,” wrote Michael Ferrini.
Vest said this was intentional.
“When we were looking at video, we were looking at recruitment bases,” he explained. “One of them was military, from one of our local bases. Some aspects of this job speak to different people.”
Are you ready for the best part?
According to NBC News, Obama banned “tanks and other tracked armored vehicles, weaponized aircraft and vehicles, firearms and ammunition measuring .50-caliber and larger, grenade launchers and bayonets.”
But in August 2017, then-President Donald Trump repealed the ban.
“We will not put superficial concerns above public safety,” then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions told the Fraternal Order of Police at a conference. “We have your back and you have our thanks.”
The Trump Justice Department argued that concerns around the program were cosmetic and that the program deterred crime and protected officers.
Well there you have it. Jeff Sessions. Militarized police. The GOP and militarized police go hand-in-hand.
On August 1, 2021 at 9:54 pm, Georgiaboy61 said:
For those interested in following this issue, just an FYI:
Constitutional law scholar, attorney and author John Whitehead of the Rutherford Institute (which he heads) has done yeoman work in tracking the militarization of American police forces, and has written a number of well-researched, well-annotated books on that and related subjects. The Rutherford Institute, a non-profit devoted to restoring constitutional limits upon American government, has many other resources at its website.
Whitehead’s works include “Battlefield America: The War on the American People” (2015), and “A Government of Wolves: The Emerging American Police State” (2013), as well as numerous articles in the print and electronic media. The Institute, formed in 2003, has emerged as a leader in the fight for human rights, civil liberties and the restoration of the nation’s founding principles.
On August 2, 2021 at 7:14 am, Bradlley A Graham said:
Everyday, men and women train to kill you using your money.
Plan accordingly.
On August 2, 2021 at 8:11 am, Nosmo said:
I believe the Taliban in Afganistan may have arrived at a solution to a similar problem they’re facing RE:Afgan government air support.
On August 2, 2021 at 8:59 am, George 1 said:
Perhaps the police think that they will eventually be faced with IEDs in America. After all that is what MRAPs are for.
On August 2, 2021 at 9:21 am, Frank Clarke said:
The GOP, you say? My, my… Well, it appears the Democrats are good for something.
I wonder if Gary Johnson would have done that.
On August 2, 2021 at 10:28 am, Fred said:
The R party love the po po. When the uniformed agents of the state come for you, and they are coming, it will be a Republican Christian out on the street pointing at your house.
On August 2, 2021 at 8:23 pm, George 1 said:
Jess Sessions had the FBIs back. No matter how many crimes they committed.
On August 4, 2021 at 8:52 am, penses said:
And don’t forget the RINOs passed the Patriot Act in the middle of the night, behind closed doors with no debate. And the chickens came home to roost Jan 6.