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Jeremy Bender reports that eight different law enforcement agencies in Indiana have purchased massive Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles (MRAPs) that were formerly used in Iraq and Afghanistan. The MRAP is a bulletproof, 60,000-pound, six-wheeled behemoth with heavy armor, a gunner's turret and the word "SHERIFF" emblazoned on its flank.
Pulaski County, home to 13,124 people, is one of the counties that have purchased an MRAP from military surplus. When asked to justify the purchase of a former military vehicle, Pulaski County Sheriff Michael Gayer told the Indy Star:
"The United States of America has become a war zone. 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."
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Sir Garlon on Wednesday June 11 2014, @09:41PM
Unfortunately it's the local taxpayer who suffers. The police budget starts creeping up to maintain all that equipment they don't actually need. They say they need it and it would be a waste of taxpayer dollars to throw away that multi-million-dollar MRAP we've already acquired. In for a penny, in for a pound. Besides, we can't take away lifesaving equipment from our neighborhood first responders!
The worst part is, even a local politician who sees through the scam cannot really afford politically to be seen as antagonistic to local law enforcement.
[Sir Garlon] is the marvellest knight that is now living, for he destroyeth many good knights, for he goeth invisible.