Reply #65: And why is that?

[Marie26]

One of the top recommendations of the 9/11 Commission was that law enforcement improve their communications equipment. And that's the one thing that hasn't really been improved. Instead, Topeka, KN police have tons of new cool weapons & equipment that they have no idea how to use. DHS has been giving out a lot of grants for local police to improve their "anti-terrorism/security" units - but it seems like a lot of that money might be going to the wrong place. It's got to go back to the lobbies. It seems like the gun manufacturer/defense contractors have so much power, the fed. gov. wants to dole out this military equipment. It's more money for the contractor, more $$ for the DHS officials approving these grants, & a police force that's just happy to be receiving some equipment. So they start creating these over-militarized "security" units & end up using them in cases where it isn't appropriate.

For example, Superior, Wisconsin, recently received a Homeland Security grant for an armored vehicle; one of many awarded around the country.

"The 16,000-pound armored truck looms over other vehicles.
• Nine gun ports dot the sides.
• A turret juts out on top of the vehicle, known as a BearCat.
• The black exterior sports half-inch-thick steel armor and bulletproof glass.
• It rolls on self-sealing tires.
• The diesel engine roars.
• Devices inside test for biological, chemical and nuclear threats.
This hulking BearCat is built for safety, not comfort. “It drives like a tank,” said Douglas County Sheriff Tom Dalbec as he took the armored truck for a recent prowl around Superior. The BearCat moved to Douglas County in June, funded by a $178,000 Homeland Security grant."

http://www.superiorwi.com/placed/index.php?sect_rank=1&story_id=216040

Is this really necessary?