Daily Herald: Suburban police receive $66 million in surplus military equipment
Sixteen law enforcement agencies in Illinois asked the federal government for a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle - an armored vehicle designed by the military to protect soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan from improvised explosive device blasts. Seven others asked for large armored vehicles that can weigh up to 6 tons and be up to 10 feet tall. Five agencies requested bayonets. Nine asked for armored combat helmets used in battle. More than 200 agencies asked for a number of M-16 and M-14 military assault rifles that have been used in wars from Vietnam to Iraq. All of their requests were approved.
Widespread militarization of Illinois police forces uncovered by I-Team
In total, more than 450 Illinois law enforcement agencies have received more than $66 million worth of free surplus military equipment - ranging from First Aid kits to tanks - through a federal program called Law Enforcement Support Office, according to documents obtained by the Daily Herald through a Freedom of Information Act request. You can read the full story in the Daily Herald's edition from Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015, or online at dailyherald.com.
