First let me say that I have always been supportive of law enforcement. I’ve seen the movie, ‘Support Your Local Sheriff’ more than once. However, I am beginning to get a little concerned.
According to the Huffington Post, Keene, N.H. is getting a tank for the police department. Well, it’s not quite a tank, but it is a heavily armored and armed personnel carrier. Keene is a town of 23,000 and the scene of just two murders since 1999. Do they really need such a vehicle?
The Department of Homeland Security has issued a $285,933 grant to buy a ‘Bearcat,’ which is an eight ton machine. Obviously there are two sides on every story, unless you watch TV or read the papers. There are those in Keene that want the vehicle because the federal government is paying for it and those that oppose it because they don’t want to appear as some third world country.
Since September 11, 1991 the war on terror has increased in militarization of local police forces. Apparently a lot of major cities have taken advantage of free or greatly reduced cost vehicles of this type. In December, the Center for Investigative Journalism reported that Homeland Security grants totaling $34 billion went to terrorist targets such as Fargo, N.D.; Fon du Lac, Wisconsin; and Canyon County, Idaho.
Where the heck is Canyon County, Idaho?
In my little burg, so far as I know, we have not received any such grants. Surely there is a possibility that we could have an attack on the car wash. I don’t think they would hit our gas station. Their prices are already high enough to terrorize anybody.
It does seem to me that the city governors should at least look into getting us another bullet. We only have one and the police have to transfer it at the end of each shift.
One time, one of the officers went on vacation and took it with him.
PMO
©2011
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