By Paul Waldmiller
Did you know that there is a program here in Florida which grants military equipment including vehicles to law enforcement agencies?
In this program, the Federal Government has put more than $100 Million in DOD equipment into the hands of police agencies over past years, according to The Sun Sentinel analysis of federal data.
Fort Lauderdale police have a mine-resistant truck. In Palm Beach County, law enforcement officers have five battle-ready trucks; University police at Florida International University at Miami have two. Even the two-square mile Florida coastal village (with a total population of less than 6,000 located in Palm Beach County) received a 15-ton mine-resistant truck from the Department of Defense.
Not only across Florida but also across America, 8,200 police agencies participate in the Defense Logistics Agency’s 1033 Program that transfers unused military equipment which can range from clothing to artillery. Police in almost every Florida county have acquired military equipment through this program. Research shows that there is no rhyme or reason for counties purchasing military equipment. For example, agencies in Florida counties which have a much smaller population have spent more of their taxpayer dollars on purchasing militarized vehicles and equipment than larger populated counties in the state.
This past June, the Southern Poverty Law Center urged Congress to end the 1033 Program, stating the militarized police has contributed to the spread of anti-government extremism and heavily-armed “militias.” With the high number of rioters using weapons in major cities across America including Seattle, New York City, Washington, D.C. and Portland, some in Congress and local politicians are justifying the use of military equipment by police. The same government officials also justify the use of military equipment for use during hurricanes and floods as well as other “natural disasters”.
Whatever the reasoning, Florida counties and State police organizations are stockpiling military equipment. The current rate of spending appears to equal or even surpass the monies spent during 2019. What will the State of Florida and counties do with an increased number of armored vehicles? Only our Government politicians and police agencies know the answer to that.