If you Google, or Yahell “Pentagon’s 1033 Program”
And manage to sift through and not get bogged down in the conspiracy theory rut, there is a lot to be gained in reading between the lines and begin to ask valid, non-conspiracy theory laden questions...
For it to be initially labeled as “free” surplus is such a kook hook, its not even funny...none of this stuff is ever given away from free...The grants these departments wrote to get money to convert, maintain and operate this surplus equipment is where the money is...
Our districts down here have bought more Army heavy “high water” vehicles for flooding emergencies than other places I have heard that have the same problem...The upkeep, conversion, paint-jobs and storage of these vehicles is not cheap...And all we are talking about there are trucks...Not your sexy MRAP’s for the “jazz-seekers” who wanna look cool ebfore they are really needed for controlling the public during civil disturbances...etc etc etc...
A simple question that needs to always and never let up on is this...
What are these MRAP’s to be used for??? And what justifies us keeping them active, and not under some temporary contract if we only need them for “warrant duty”...
But you have to have politicians with the political courage to question these potential aquisistions with realistic expectations and caution those who want these things without question...
A rarity these days...
In my world, in an attempt to avoid suicide by cop, warrant service is by plainclothes wearing, UNARMED policemen. The days of dynamic entry to protect the servers is over. It is the public that now needs protection from the police forces.
I was confused they were chasing the Boston Bomber around with these. It was clear he didn’t have one of his own, or any other heavy military equipment such as a howitzer.
I cannot imagine a single event in any city that would justify having this, other than massive uprisings.