1033 Program

Washington, D.C. - August 29, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The Trump administration decided to reinstate the 1033 program, which allows the Department of Defense to transfer surplus military equipment to state and local law enforcement agencies at no cost. Opponents of this program liken it to "militarizing the police" because, after all, what did the cops in Ferguson need with tanks? On the other hand, with all of the police officers today getting shot and killed, they could use a few more bullet proof vests.

In May 2015, President Obama issued a directive that restricted local police from obtaining certain lifesaving federal gear, and in 2016, the Obama Administration began seizing equipment from local police departments.

Disturbingly, many of the restricted items are purely defensive, such as "riot helmets" and "riot shields"--items vital to protecting law enforcement during riots, where protesters have been known to torch cars and hurl bricks, cement blocks, and glass bottles at police. The directive also restricted armored vehicles, which were vital to rescuing hostages from an Orlando night club during the terror attack of June 2016.

The Obama Administration acknowledged that depriving local police of this gear "can have life-threatening consequences, both for the law enforcement personnel and the public," but concluded it was more important to preserve "community trust."

Sen. Toomey wrote a letter to President Obama the same week in May 2015, urging him to reconsider his decision to restrict access to this lifesaving equipment. You can read that letter by clicking here

In 2016 and 2017, Sen. Toomey introduced the Lifesaving Gear for Police Act, a bill that reverses President Obama's dangerous restrictions, and requires the executive branch to return gear that has been seized from local police departments.
Sen. Toomey's legislation was endorsed by:

• Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association
• Fraternal Order of Police
• Int'l Union of Police Associations, AFL-CIO
• National Association of Police Organizations
• National Sheriffs' Association
• Sgts. Benevolent Association of New York City

Below are statements and information about this subject from the newsmakers (Keep checking back for updates!):

Senator Patrick J.Toomey - (R - PA)

"I am pleased to see President Trump take this crucial step to ensure that our police officers have the tools they need to protect themselves and our communities from violent criminals and terrorists. Our police officers should be at least as well equipped as the criminals and terrorists who attack them.

"I am especially pleased to see that, like my Lifesaving Gear for Police Act, President Trump reversed President Obama's dangerous restrictions on the ability of local law enforcement to access lifesaving federal equipment, such as riot helmets, riot shields, and armored vehicles. As we saw during the San Bernardino and Orlando terror attacks when the police used armored vehicles in their response, these items are vital to protecting law enforcement and civilians."

House Representative Mark Sanford (R-SC, 1st)

“Today’s decision to reinstate the 1033 program is a step backwards for the taxpayer. Since the Defense Department started its 1033 program in 1997, over $5 billion of surplus military property has been transferred to police departments across the country free of charge. Police departments should certainly have what they need to accomplish their work on a day-to-day basis, but I think there are obvious flaws in trying to do this through the 1033 program.

“With nearly $20 trillion in debt, I don’t think that the federal government can afford to give away anything for free. Doing so overstates the cost of federal government and understates the cost of local governments who get this equipment at no cost. We value the things we pay for an often take for granted the things we don’t. I saw the abuses of this program when I was Governor. I will never forget the impression made when I walked into a small county sheriff's office and was told the sheriff was out taking helicopter lessons...so he could use one of the seven helicopters his office had gotten for ‘free.’

“This program also incentivizes the militarization of local police departments, as they are encouraged to grab more equipment than they need. In some cases, they even stockpile equipment generally found on battlefields since it’s ‘free,’ and this is neither good for the taxpayer nor the local communities.

“In an effort to curtail this program, I introduced a bill last Congress - the Responsible Law Enforcement Acquisition Act of 2016 - to replace the zero-cost transfer system with an auction system, where registered police units can bid on surplus military equipment. The proceeds would be sent to the US Treasury, and accordingly, my bill would work to balance the interests of local law enforcement with taxpayers. The police would still have the ability to purchase military equipment at the federal auction. But by requiring that they be purchased, the bill helps to pay for the federal debt, while motivating police departments to prioritize their purchases to equipment they really need to serve their communities.”

House Representative William “Lacy” Clay, Jr. (D-MO, 1st)

“Three years ago, as the tragedy in Ferguson unfolded, I personally witnessed local police in armored vehicles pointing military-style sniper rifles with night scopes at my constituents who were peacefully exercising their constitutional rights.

That over-militarization increased tensions, incited more violence and established a deadly perception that local police officers had become warriors instead of guardians of public safety.

In response, I worked closely with former President Obama and former U.S. Secretary of Defense Hagel to place reasonable limits on the distribution of military surplus items to local law enforcement. That was in keeping with key findings and recommendations of the President’s Taskforce on 21st Century Policing.

President Trump’s decision to rescind these limitations will allow local police departments to receive grenade launchers, bayonets, tracked armored vehicles, sniper rifles and military grade ammunition; along with other surplus Department of Defense equipment that was intended for use on the battlefield, not in neighborhoods.

President Trump’s reckless decision to remilitarize local police is another shameful step backwards as he continues to deepen divisions across this country while appeasing hate, bigotry and intolerance.”