Many Americans were shocked to see a fleet of military equipment being used by local police during the recent racial tensions in Ferguson, Missouri following the deadly police shooting of Michael Brown.
But for quite some time, surplus U.S. military equipment has been filtered to many local police departments across the country – as well as university campuses – but questions are now being raised about what message is being sent and how certain types of military tools will be used.
In addition to tanks and other types of armored vehicles, the surplus military equipment finding its way to campuses includes grenade launchers, M-16 assault rifles, anti-mine vehicles and bayonets.
The equipment is provided as part of a Pentagon program that gives away excess property and supplies to state and local law enforcement agencies free of charge.
University police departments have also snapped up body armor, night vision equipment, aircraft, first aid supplies, surveillance equipment, Kevlar helmets, gas masks, etc.
The police departments maintain that the equipment will allow its officers to respond to a variety of potentially violent situations in the future. Critics warn that the departments are arming themselves too heavily and could be viewed by the public as the enemy and a potential threat to the community.
Comments