Today, police departments across the United States more closely resemble an occupying army than they do public servants responding to calls for help. Police officers can now be seen wearing helmets and body armor and carrying AR-15's, just to deliver simple warrants. The militarization of our police departments not only gives the appearance of a military dictatorship but places the public at great risk. No less than 70 percent of U.S. cities now have SWAT teams. In cities with a population of 50,000 or more, 90 percent have SWAT teams. Eastern Kentucky University professor Peter Kraska told the Washington Post that SWAT teams are currently sent out 40,000 times a year in the U.S. During the 1980's, SWAT teams were only used 3,000 times a year. Most of the time, SWAT teams are being sent out to simply serve warrants on non-violent drug offenders. Many municipalities are using Homeland Security grants to even purchase large armored vehicles. The Pittsburgh Police Department now uses their 20-ton armored truck complete with rotating turret and gun ports to deliver many of their warrants. Pittsburgh Police Sgt. Barry Budd recently told the Associate Press: "We live on being prepared for 'what if'." The training being given at many police academies appears to be the type of tactics one would use in Baghdad, rather than Baltimore. It would seem that our police officers are being readied for war, with the American public as the enemy. In the last several years, there has been a transformation from community policing to pre-emptive assaults On January 24, 2006, Dr. Salvatore Culosi was shot and killed outside his house by a Fairfax County SWAT officer. Police used the SWAT team to serve a documents search warrant, after Dr. Culosi came under suspicion for taking sports bets. The investigation began after Fairfax Detective David Baucom solicited a bet with Dr. Culosi at a local sports bar. Dr. Culosi was standing outside his home while talking with Det. Baucom, when SWAT Officer Deval Bullock quickly approached with his gun drawn and fatally shot Dr. Culosi in the chest. Court documents report that Culosi never made any threatening movements and made no attempt to run as he watched the SWAT team move in around him. Dr. Culosi had no history of violence nor any criminal history whatsoever. He operated two successful optometry clinics at Wal-Marts in Manassas and Warrenton, Va. His parents have filed a $12 million lawsuit against the county of Fairfax, Va. On the night of January 17, 2008, a police SWAT team surrounded Ryan Frederick´s home in Chesapeake, Va. The police were there to serve a drug warrant based on a tip from a criminal informant. As usual, 28 year-old Ryan Frederick had gone to sleep early in order to leave the house before dawn for his job with a soda distributor. He awoke to a commotion of screams and the distinct sound of someone breaking down his front door. Frederick´s house had been broken into a few days earlier, being a slight man of only a little over 100 pounds, Frederick feared for his safety. After the break-in, he purchased a gun. Understandably frightened, Frederick grabbed his gun and when he got to the front of his house, he saw a man trying to crawl through the bottom portion of his door. Terrified that the intruders had returned, he fired. The man he shot was not an aggressive burglar, nor a drug-crazed murderer, he was Det. Jarrod Shivers. The police detective and military veteran died almost immediately. Frederick was charged with first-degree murder and now sits in a jail cell awaiting trial. As for the marijuana-growing operation for which police were looking, nothing was found. Only a very small amount of marijuana was discovered on the Frederick property, only enough to charge him with misdemeanor possession. Frederick has admitted that he uses marijuana occasionally but has never been involved with producing nor selling the drug. Ryan Frederick has no prior history of violence, nor any criminal history whatsoever. He took care of his grandmother until her death two years ago, had a full-time job, and recently became engaged. In his spare time, he worked in his yard and tended to his Koi pond…Not quite the drug kingpin type! However, based solely on the word of an informant, police obtained a warrant and stormed into this man´s house in the dark of night. The information turned out to be false, a police officer and father of three is dead, and a decent young man´s life is now over. When Ryan Frederick awoke to the sounds of his home being invaded, he did what many of us would do. He acted reasonably when he grabbed his gun to defend himself and fired at a man who he believed was breaking into his home to do him harm. Had the police simply went to his home during the daytime and knocked on his door, they could have questioned Frederick and found their information to be groundless. A little traditional police work could have saved the life of a police officer and the Shivers and Frederick families would have remained whole. Frederick was eventually convicted of voluntary manslaughter and is now servin ga 10-year prison sentence. The Ryan Frederick story is truly frightening because this same scenario could play itself out in your home or mine. In the age of militarized police departments, we are all in danger. Here are a few more recent victims of our militarized police departments: In 2008, a La Plata County Sheriff's Department SWAT team burst into the mobile home at 74 Hidden Lane in search of a methamphetamine dealer. Unfortunately, they were supposed to carry-out the raid at 82 Hidden Lane. As they rushed in, they shoved the homeowner, Virginia Herrick, 77 onto the floor and separated her from the oxygen tube she requires in order to breathe. The police did not realize their mistake until they had already handcuffed Herrick. Herrick told reporters: "They didn't give me a chance to ask for a search warrant or see a search warrant or anything. I'm not about to argue with those big old guys, especially when they've got guns and those big old sledgehammers." In 2007, Marva Morris received a call at work from neighbors, telling her home in Chesapeake, VA was surrounded by police officers. By the time she arrived home, her house was in shambles. Acting on a bad tip, a SWAT team stormed the single mother’s home looking for a suspect, who Morris had actually taken-out a warrant against. Police shot-out windows, filled the home with tear gas, busted-out windows and doors, shot holes into mattresses, and even tossed clothes out of the windows. No one was home at the time. Of course, the home was uninhabitable for Morris and the six children she is raising. When she demanded that police repair her home, she was given a business card with a number to city's Risk Management Department and told that she could submit a claim. Cit y officials decided to pay for the full restoration of her home, only after the case received a great deal of media attention. In 2006, 92 year old Kathryn Johnston was shot 39 times by an Atlanta Swat team. Johnson was so fearful that she never left her home and would only open her door after friends who placed her groceries on the front porch had left. An erroneous tip from an informant was enough for the Atlanta Police Department to invade her home. Police have since admitted to lying to obtain a search warrant and to planting drugs in her home after killing her. In 2006, Thibodeaux, LA residents Mike Lefort, 61, and his mother, Thelma, 83, were both thrown to the ground as a SWAT team burst into the wrong house with a "no knock" warrant. Thelma who suffered from hypertension nearly had a stroke. The police chief eventually offered them an apology. In 2006, a 52 member SWAT team stormed into a Denver home in search of a friendly small-stakes poker game. The same thing happened a few months later when SWAT and K-9 units barged in on a charity poker game in Baltimore. In 2005, Cheryl Lynn Noel, a mom was shot by police for picking up her legally registered handgun. She went for her gun to defend herself after a SWAT broke into her Baltimore, MD home at 4:30 a.m.. Police stormed her house that night because they claim to have found marijuana seeds in the family's trash can. In 1994, Rev. Acelyne Williams, 75 of Boston, died of a heart attack after a SWAT team broke into his home. Police actually had the wrong address. When someone straps on body armor and large caliber weapons, their adrenalin levels begin to surge. As they arrive at the scene, those levels increase. When these now militarized police officers actually break into a dark home and begin shouting at terrified citizens, severe injury and death is likely to occur. It is beyond reason to employ these tactics on anyone other than hardened, violent criminals. SWAT teams were created in the wake of the 1966 University of Texas sniper shooting spree by ex-marine Charles Whitman. Police did not have the firepower to reach Whitman, who was perched atop the 27-story clock tower. Civilians with hunting rifles came to the scene and joined with police in the effort to stop Whitman. Eventually, police officers and a well-armed citizen scaled the stairs of the tower and killed Whitman, but not before he killed 17 people and injured another 31. As a result of the incident, police departments began to assemble small teams of highly trained officers with equipment specific to sniper shootings, hostage situations, bank robberies, etc. SWAT teams were designed to deal with very violent individuals who represent a clear and present threat to the public. However, they are now being used to execute warrants on non-violent offenders and even those who have no prior criminal history at all. Turning our neighborhood cops into shock troops will do nothing but erode public confidence in the police and endanger the lives of innocent Americans. In 2008, Springfield, MA Police Commissioner William Fitchet announced that his department´s Street Crimes Unit would begin wearing military-style black uniforms, to instill a sense of "fear." In my opinion, whether they know it or not, our police departments are being prepared for the declaration of martial law and an all-out war in our streets. Why else would every community both large and small across this nation need a small military force?
Comments
I called the police about child abusers next door. A drunken fight weeks after the kids had been taken away due to broken cheek bones, and a bunch of horrors. The dad was back, in violation of a restraining order.. there was much yelling and banging...
I didn't know the address, so I gave my address, and explained they were one house "North, towards Washington" from mine.
I went to work. I forgot something, and retunred a few minutes later, I found police 1 house SOUTH of mine, with my neighbor(50's) face down in the mud.
It was a swat team, they yelled to me to get off the block, I screamed back, 'you're at the wrong house!' They told me he'd had a gun.
They handcuffed him days after his shoulder surgery, and told him later that it was my fault. They even tried many times to tell me it was my fault, that I'd said South. Which is NOT the case.. however, if it HAD BEEN the case, I said.. Towards Washington. Both Washington street, and state, are North of here.
It's only going to get worse. Police departments will never give up the Homeland Security money, and this new generation of officers are all traumatized ex-military.
Alex Jones Obama Deception warned us about the upcoming police state for many years now and now it's here now because you people ignored the warnings and signs that a police, no a army state is coming.
This is a quote from Gerald Celente the founder of trends research institute "They are preparing for the riots" thats exactly what they preparing for in case the people find out Obamas a fraud and start rioting in the streets then the police will kill them just like in third world countries.
I kept saying that we are in a third world country of governments that don't care and their cities and roads fall apart and police that act like animals.
Canadian here; Until we imported U.S. drug problems to our largest cities, we were a peaceful nation that did not require militarization of police forces. Since the huge American propensity of the common working folk to be drugged has invaded our people and we have mimicked your inadequacies, we find it increasingly necessary to have really tough law enforcement available right on the streets! In the days, in Ontario, when stores were closed Wednesdays, and Sundays, In the days when Canadians went to church on a regular basis and supported their local communities fervently and on a one to one basis, we had problems of a different sort. Now, roving gangs of usually well armed and deadly black men can only find a reasonable remuneration in the drug-trade - drugs usually purchased by working whites, who have been disadvantaged by working too many hours for too little money and paying ridiculous rents! The problem, all over the rich America's is greed that only socialism addresses.
The entire world is just out of balance.
US who claims to be the most democratic nation in the world is in fact a police runned nation.
Inhumanity is rampant and police brutality prevails.Probably the best thing that could happen to this planet would be the disappearance of all mankind, the most violent living species on Earth.
DAVE FOR A SMART GUY YOU ARE REALLY DUMB. WE DON'T NEED YOUR SECURITY, EVERY HUMAN HAS ENOUGH TO PROTECT HIMSELF. I BET YOU COUNT YOUR MONEY WITH A GRIN.
I HAVE NEVER SEEN SO MUCH BIAS HYPOCRISY IN MY LIFE. I WOULD ONLY BELIEVE THE THINGS YOU SAY IF YOU WERE POOR AND HUMBLE, YOU HAVE TOO MUCH TO DEFEND TOO MUCH SELF INTEREST, VERY SUSPECT AND VERY BALD. GET SOME FACIAL HAIR AND BE A MAN. YOU HIDE YOUR BIAS BY PLACING TINY CLIPS OF THE TRUTH LIKE THIS IN YOUR MOUNTAIN DECEPTIVE ARTICLES. I BET YOU CUT DOWN OLD GROWTH TREE FOR FUN. ON THE PLUS SIDE YOU ARE VERY ARTICULATE AND YOU COULD USE YOUR POWERS FOR GOOD. JUST DON'T BE TOO DEFENSIVE, OBSESSION WITH SECURITY IS A FORM OF NEUROSIS. YOU DON'T KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT LIFE AND NEITHER DO SO PLEASE TEACH ME SOMETHING I DON'T KNOW!!!
ALL THE BEST SORRY FOR THE ARROGANCE BUT I FIGHT FIRE WITH WATER AND ARROGANCE CREATES EMOTION WHICH IS THIS CASE SHOULD PROVOKE A HIGHER OCTAVE OF THOUGHT PATTERNS TO EMERGE. PEACE IS LOVE!!!
I agree with this author totally. I have been abused, harased and be-littled by police more times than I can count.
I have never done drugs or and don't drink. Police is an overbearing big brother with their interpretation of the law.
Did no one notice the one guy was convicted on Manslauter for shooting the officer coming into HIS home? We all know if it was the other way around, the officer would have been given an award for stopping crime.
To much protection for cops. Not enough oversight...
The police need to stop breaking into houses because they THINK something is going on. We need to stop this and take away all this so called power the goverment has give the police. They really need to go after the real problem and that is rapest, murders and perverts, Stop envading homes on the say of imforment , who are just trying to say their ass!!!!
It's funny how all this increased police protection has resulted in the total opposite. Very Few who have had to deal with police/the system recently have any desire to do so again. I have always thought that they need to change the statement "protect and serve" to "intimidate and subdue" After all we are ALL nothing bur cheats liars and junkies in the eye's of our "protectors". Wake up people. There is very little discernible difference between what is going on in our country right now and what went on in prewar Germany. Now get off the internet and go watch American Idol before you learn something.
I have video footage of Long Beach CA SWAT parked right in front of my building for an entire afternoon. Turns out the guy they were after had been arrested hours earlier by "regular" traffic cops.
we gotta take the power back..
rage against the machine
what are goverments the world over planning to do that will make people want to start civil wars?.....
in the us army, when you deploy you get issued things mission specific to work and operate there; improved body army, ammo/grenade pouches, combat knives ect. when you return from theater, you turn that equipment back in. now some state side units returning from theater are exchanging these items for things like riot helmets, batons, blast shields, and units are stocking up on things like mace, and riot control rounds for the mossburg 12g and the M203 (grenade launcher)all for what we call "QRF" or quick reactionary force. where there is a group of soldiers on 24 hour stand by, to react to a crises. just like a government issue swat team. so now, armed US soldiers are responsible for specific territory's given the posts geographical location. only now, the entire post can be placed on standby, should the "terror alert" become too high. the governments excuse for this atrocity is "in case of another katrina" my sources are solid. www.us.army.mil. find a soldier, research it, fight back.
Enjoy your own brand of paranoia and I hope you never need help from the police yourself. Police state? Really?
And as for the guy shooting at the officers, maybe he shouldn't have been so quick to pull that trigger. I am amazed at the lack of personal responsibility inherent in paranoid rants like this one.
I REALLY think you should look at the officers that did not use proper search warrant for a non-violent crime, instead he got what he deserved, shot! Maybe he should have notified the home owners (VERBALLY) that they were the police to serve a search warrant.....You must be a dirty PIG cop!
Does it really matter? If people want to cling to the 2nd amendment with such ferocity then this is going to happen. When people allow religion to mandate morality, this is going to happen. When people allow the government to decide what we can and can not do in the privacy of our own homes, this is going to happen. Face it, this is going to happen. If it does then we revolt. It's that simple. There is no way this country will ever be a full on police state. Either those that are against that will stand up and win, or we will fail and those left won't care. So what does it matter. Yeah these were innocent people, in this situation, but that doesn't mean they are innocent. First I bet that they are all murderers, if they eat meat they are, so they got what was coming. If you eat any living creature your rights to freedom are void. If you can't respect an innocent creature then why should you have respect or safety. You can judge a nation on how it treats its' animals.
"If you eat any living creature your rights to freedom are void."
@Josh
Someone sure sounds confident in their ethical beliefs. I've learned it's best to steer clear of people with such steadfast and unwavering ethical codes...especially when they become involved in politics.
lol. He's probably not that rich, blogninja. There wasn't much peace in your comment. The whole hypocrisy reference kinda made me laugh.
I don't know if I should laugh or cry about the stupidity as you have the same tendencies in many other countries around the world!
The law is S**T! There is no justice! This country as gone to the crapper. Make a song from those statistics! F*****g pigs...
If you find this terrible (but interesting) and feel the need to become more educated and want an interesting read, you really need to read up on The Federal Siege at Ruby Ride. Read the actual book written by Randy Weaver.
Read the Wikipedia article on Ruby Ridge.
I've read the article and a few of the comments. I understand not everyone is going to agree with the views the article put forth but as for me I agree totally. One comment was made about how the man who shot the police officer "breaking in" to his house should have not been so quick to shoot. The poor man is now serving 10 years according to the article. I wonder about the police officer who shot and killed the man who made no aggressive moves toward anyone. I sincerely doubt the officer was charged with any crime. He maybe, at the most, was discharged from service and that's only if WE are lucky. Again, I agree with the article. Training our officers to treat everyone as guilty until proven innocent creates a societal frame of mind that the police are to be feared whether or not you are a law abiding citizen. Fear creates irrational behavior and we can clearly see that in these cases put forth. Fear on the side of the police and those being strong-armed by them.
Welcome to Orwells 1984
your blog makes me depressed
remember people you have the right to bear arms, you also right to life, do something about, and stop this from happening
Police brutality has gone too far, I am ashamed of the human race.
Laughlin Nevada police broke mine and my brothers right index fingers at the first knuckle with a Blackwater Tactic called the cuff lock, we had a spat that left each other with a scrape and a bruise I went to the hotel room and went to sleep they came and dragged me out and broke my finger and then broke cartilage in my right shoulder.
They are the enemy!
I was subsequently charged with misdemeanor resisting arrest even though I looked out the peek hole and opened the door for them, $1000 medical bill, $1300 Lawyer bill and $1000 fines $700 travel expense, $4000 total,nice huh. They know how to cover their ass.
People say "we need to stop police from.." or "the government needs to stop doing..." Unfortunately, to believe that the government or police are simply going to reverse their march toward absolute power, is to ignore history, and fail to understand what happens when a people becomes complacent and lets a small group rule their rights and the nation's resources. The govt. and police are puppets and mercenaries of the ultra rich and global corporations. Hitler and Mussolini were puppets of the intntl. bankers and weapons co.s. They have no intention of becoming less powerful, and they know the only thing that can stop them is revolution, which is why they are arming to the teeth and taking away our rights as fast as they can get away with it. They have created enough media misdirection, entertainment and hobby distractions, that most American sheeple are ignorant or apathetic. When they do declare martial law for their next engineered "emergency" it's going to be a rude awakening.
Ryan Fredrick should not spend a day in jail. He did what any freedom loving American would do, protect what is rightfully his to protect. The police take the power (given to them by the people) and go too far. In fact, they assume powers not actually given to them by the constitution. I would shoot "anyone" I considerd a threat entering my home, announced or otherwise. Point is, better knock first. We the people need to take back the power we've given the governments, Federal, state, local. We can govern ouselves, it just takes some effort.
You see this is rediculous. Your answering your own question. Police are not being militarized, how ever, and I can vouch. The things cops deal with on the streets are in alot of ways the things a marine, or soldier would deal with in Iraq. Obviously the intensity levels are a different sometimes. Alot of times they can be the same. Now I read your article, and Ryan Fredrick has a case. I believe he had a right to fire his weapon if he didnt know. But thats why the cops "wield" the armor, and the high caliber firearms.What if that officer hadnt been wearing body armor. Alot of cops are being deployed to Iraq/Afghanistan to train police over there. Being in that enviroment cops, cops have a tendency to bring that back with them. Nobodys out to get us. As the world(population) gets bigger and the threat of terrorism becomes more and more real. Cops are being trained to be able to confront those threats more independently. I hope ive helped.
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