Information Liberation – by Chris
You might not realize it while traveling through the small town of Pulaski County, Indiana, population 13,124, but you’re actually in a “war zone,” at least so says Sheriff Michael Gayer in justifying the acquisition of a MRAP military vehicle.
From the Indy Star:
In a pole barn in Franklin, sharing space with a motorcycle and a boat, sat an imposing military vehicle designed for battlefields in Iraq or Afghanistan, not the streets of Johnson County.
It is an MRAP — a bulletproof, 55,000-pound, six-wheeled behemoth with heavy armor, a gunner’s turret and the word “SHERIFF” emblazoned on its flank — a vehicle whose acronym stands for “mine resistant ambush protected.”
“We don’t have a lot of mines in Johnson County,” confessed Sheriff Doug Cox, who acquired the vehicle. “My job is to make sure my employees go home safe.”
Johnson County is one of eight Indiana law enforcement agencies to acquire MRAPs from military surplus since 2010, according to public records obtained by The Indianapolis Star. The vehicles are among a broad array of 4,400 items — everything from coats to computers to high-powered rifles — acquired by police and sheriff’s departments across the state.
Law enforcement officials, especially those from agencies with small budgets, say they’re turning to military surplus equipment to take advantage of bargains and protect police officers. The MRAP has an added benefit, said Pulaski County Sheriff Michael Gayer, whose department also acquired one: “It’s a lot more intimidating than a Dodge.”
Even in Pulaski County, population 13,124, a more military approach to law enforcement is needed these days, Gayer suggested.
“The United States of America has become a war zone,” he said. “There’s violence in the workplace, there’s violence in schools and there’s violence in the streets. You are seeing police departments going to a semi-military format because of the threats we have to counteract. If driving a military vehicle is going to protect officers, then that’s what I’m going to do.”
But, to some, the introduction of equipment designed for war in Fallujah, Iraq, to the streets of U.S. towns and cities raises questions about the militarization of civilian police departments. Will it make police inappropriately aggressive? Does it blur the line between civilian police and the military?
“Americans should … be concerned unless they want their main streets patrolled in ways that mirror a war zone,” wrote Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., co-author of a USA TODAY article earlier this year. “We recognize that we’re not in Kansas anymore, but are MRAPs really needed in small-town America?”
“We don’t have a lot of mines in Johnson County,” confessed Sheriff Doug Cox, who acquired the vehicle. “My job is to make sure my employees go home safe.”
Really? I thought your job was to serve and protect We the People like we hired you to do. Might want to re-read your job description, Sheriff.
Enough with the “officer feared for his life” bullshit. That’s his job. Maybe you ought to train the officer or deputy in how to protect himself in a civilized manner rather than in a war-like manner. Ever think of that? No? Of course not because you’re too stupid to think and that’s why you are in the position that you are in.
“Law enforcement officials, especially those from agencies with small budgets, say they’re turning to military surplus equipment to take advantage of bargains and protect police officers.”
Again, I thought they were supposed to protect WE THE PEOPLE. Who gives a shit about protecting the police officers! That’s their job! If they don’t like it, don’t take the damn job! Duh!
America is a war zone,because of and thanks to the cops
AMEN
““The United States of America has become a war zone,” he said. There’s violence in the workplace, there’s violence in schools and there’s violence in the streets. You are seeing police departments going to a semi-military format because of the threats we have to counteract. If driving a military vehicle is going to protect officers, then that’s what I’m going to do.””
A war zone? WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? Where? I don’t hear any bombs going off. I don’t hear any explosions. Where are the tanks? Where are the enemy troops? It’s a nice quiet day where I’m at. It’s always a nice and quiet day where I’m at. I can go shopping, go to the park, read a book, go see a movie, play games with friends, etc. Hell, I can even make love to my wife uninterrupted. I have never seen any bombs or enemy troops in my town. EVER!
The only thing I have seen were cops and sheriffs harassing people left and right. Hell, all I hear are the whining children like you who claim to be police officers and sheriffs, crying to their mommies about how they are always “fearing for their lives”. So when you say that “the United States of America has become a warzone”, I’m sorry, but I don’t know what the F**K you’re talking about!!
KISS MY ASS!!!
also to those saying they have a duty to protect us..well they really dont any more
not since it was signed into law in 1980 they no longer have the duty to protect according to the Supreme Court
so you all better load up on your own ammo and guns because that cops gun on his hip is not there for your protection , its only there for the cops protection..from you and anyone he deems a threat to him
““The United States of America has become a war zone,” he said. “There’s violence in the workplace, there’s violence in schools and there’s violence in the streets. You are seeing police departments going to a semi-military format because of the threats we have to counteract. If driving a military vehicle is going to protect officers, then that’s what I’m going to do.””
yet violent crime is in-decline. figure a sheriff would know that.
That would require a sheriff actually using a brain cell or two. Probably not going to happen anytime soon.
Well, congratulations on your acquisition, numnuts Cox. I hope you and your deputies make it your first-choice vehicle and you enjoy hundreds and hundreds of hours driving it around while the DU-hardened armor radiates your ‘nads and inner organs. Oh, and have loads and loads of fun when you finally catch the big C and your indoctrinated physician recommends chemo and some more radiation. Yay for you.
I live in Pulaski County Indiana. What the heck are they protecting us from and where is the war zone. The only thing you see around here are corn fields and cows.