Using asset forfeiture funds, the McAllen Police Department has
purchased the armored vehicle pictured above on the grounds that, "With 11 gun ports, a rotating turret and room for 10 officers, the modified Ford F-550 will help city police handle high-risk calls." (Aside: 10 officers and 11 gun ports? Do they imagine somebody will be firing pistols with both hands?) Apparently the Hidalgo County Sheriff's
similar vehicle, depicted below, was deemed too bulky for in-city use:
The city bought theirs slightly used for $150,000, while the county spent $346,000 in federal funds on their vehicle in 2009. When the county purchased their vehicle,
they declared that it "will be available for any law enforcement agency in South Texas to use in hostile situations — should the need arise. We’ll even pay for the gas.” But the city of McAllen had asset forfeiture money burning a hole in their pocket and couldn't resist the redundant capacity.
For whatever reason, virtually every police chief and Sheriff seems to think they need their own independent tactical unit, to the point where
even community college PDs are getting into the act. IMO every jurisdiction
doesn't need its own SWAT unit and it'd make a lot more sense to staff and equip these units on a regional basis, an idea the McAllen chief
has poo-poohed.
They got those things they need to use 'em. Oughta be able to find some illegals somewhere down there. Goodness me!
ReplyDeleteLike you said in the previous post, "too big to fail". Too bad Ike didn't mention the "police--industrial--government complex".
ReplyDeleteYeah, PD. I wish he had. But his comment on Military Industrial complex have had disappointingly little impact.
ReplyDeleteYou need to look deeper into this story to see the Obama administration's Homeland Security Dept. They are the Dad Warbucks that are handing out federal cash to make this happen.
ReplyDeletehttp://freedominourtime.blogspot.com/2009/10/end-occupation-mission-for-oath-keepers.html
ReplyDeleteThis is just more proof that law enforcement is at war with the US citizenry. Why else do they feel they need "war" weapons? There is no "protect and serve" except for each other. To cops, each and every one of us is the enemy. Sad state of affairs.
ReplyDeleteCan I get one for self defense??
ReplyDeleteTypical BS- fraud, waste, abuse from asset sharing funds, buying garbage that's not really necessary. The drug war has made it illegal to carry cash lest it be taken in highway robber........., uh, I meant by civil forfeiture. The cash is then used for such needed equipment as military, I mean, law enforcement equipment like these. That are so urgently needed, like these two White Elephants. Here in Albuquerque, we are getting another one, maybe so the police can deploy and shoot more unarmed people with emotional problems this year. Or travel a couple of hours east, to Tucumcari to kill some poor unarmed person with emotional problems.
ReplyDeletePS- I spent over 20 years as a drug warrior, so I've seen this a time or two.
And I think it's the Prison-Military- Industrial Complex, we have to lock up survivors.
We need to spend all the money taken in from the DEA "whisper stops" when its' money and not dope illegally siezed.
Some are getting it right.
ReplyDeletehttp://texomashomepage.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=131647
Scarry to think that someone by mere popular vote can go from doing nothing related to law enforcement to being the "almighty high sheriff." Sheriff's have way too much and to broad a scope of authority in Texas. Their budgets eat the hell out of taxpayers pockets and yet very little impact on the massive influx of drugs coming into the State; and politics hamper them from making the big busts and arrests they should be making. Arrest the indigent and throw them in a hole and let the wealthy constituents son continue to drive drunk or diddle little kids. Happens everyday more than you can imagine!
ReplyDeleteThis shows just 2 more adverse effects of the long since failed "war on drugs". First, the militarization of local police forces and 2) the rampant practice of DEA and local law enforcement to maximize asset seizures and spend them on an ominous arms race.
ReplyDeleteI was working for Travis County Sheriffs office when Waco went down. The sheer exhilaration of the more cowboy-types on the force was palpable. FINALLY, they get to use all those cool, huge firearms. Over time there were hundreds of cops and deputies ringing that compound, all just itching to use their toys, all lovingly handling them. And though the local sheriff said he could deliver that warrant himself just by walking up to the door, instead law enforcement created the explosive situation that lead to so many needless deaths.
Face it. We are fast becoming a police state in all its meanings. The sheeple have bought the Big Lie of fear, fear,fear and voluntarily given up their rights for "safety".
We are handing over our rights at an alarming rate since 9/11. The poster who suggests, 'in the name of safety' we are creating a police state is right in many ways.
ReplyDelete