The National Sheriffs’ Association released a map Tuesday showing which sheriffs’ offices around the country were forced to turn in military surplus equipment to the federal government so far.
“So far, at least 12 sheriffs have had surplus protective equipment seized by the Federal Government because according to President Barack Obama, it might ‘intimidate local residents.’ Dozens more will have equipment taken under his executive order 13688,” Jonathan Thompson National Sheriffs’ Association CEO and Executive Director said in a statement.
Law enforcement agencies around the nation faced a recall, via presidential executive order, of military surplus equipment under the Defense Department’s 1033 program, since law enforcement rolled out the equipment during protests in Ferguson, Missouri during anti-police protests.
However, law enforcement points to recent high profile violent incidents in San Bernardino, Colorado Springs, Charleston and Chattanooga where every piece of protective equipment is needed.
“As domestic terrorism attacks in San Bernardino, Colorado Springs, Charleston, Chattanooga and yesterday’s Los Angeles school system cancellation have shown, we must remain vigilant and our communities must have all assets ready and available during this challenging time in our nation’s history,” Thompson said.
During the San Bernardino terrorist attack, Americans witnessed on live television how law enforcement uses armored vehicles as protection to take down active shooters. While the vehicles used in San Bernardino are not part of the government recall list, those law enforcement agencies losing similar equipment argue their gear is used in the same defensive way as was used in San Bernardino.
“County budgets are incredibly tight and surplus equipment has already been purchased by American taxpayers. The surplus military equipment program allowed our law enforcement to better protect our citizens and prepare for the unthinkable. Without these items, our communities are less safe. The President must immediately return the equipment already seized and stop this maddening and dangerous order,” Thompson said.
The Defense Department’s Defense Logistics Agency seized 52 of 126 tracked armored vehicles, 46 of 138 grenade launchers and 556 of 1,820 bayonets it had ordered returned, according to agency spokeswoman Michelle McCaskill told The Associated Press last week.
Despite the events in San Bernardino, though, activists and some politicians argue it is unnecessary for police to have such militarized looking vehicles and gear.
Peter Bibring, director of police practices at the ACLU of Southern California, told The L.A. Times, “when a police department uses the same armored vehicle that might have been appropriate when chasing an active shooter, if they roll down a neighborhood street to serve a search warrant, that creates the impression that the community is under siege.”
“Agencies point to extremely rare incidents like [San Bernardino] as justification for this kind of equipment,” Bibring said. “But the equipment gets used in situations where it should never be used.”