DEMILITARIZE the POLICE. Change the PARADIGM.

Clearly, I have been saying something along this lines for some time. There is no reason our Police in America need Military Grade Weapons and Vehicles. I was sitting here and some show, that my wife had been watching on MSNBC, was discussing this idea.

One of the justifications as to why they should have it, from some Commentator, was this idea that the Police would have it in case of another 9/11 situation would occur in America. It wasn't "really" intended to help Police Communities, per say.

OK- so as to that here is my two cents.

IF, we feel, as a Nation, not as a Politician, that our Police should have the means to take on some group of Armed Terrorists, that have some how made it deep into our heartland, or on to the shores of our Coasts, other then the weapons they already carry (Guns, Batons, ShotGuns and Rifles), fine. Let them have them. Let them get trained in them.

As a former Hospital Corpsman, and a Veteran of a Foreign War, I get this idea. And I could see the justification behind it.

HOWEVER...

I do believe that this equipment must be kept under lock and key @ the "LOCAL" National Guard Armory. Also, the Police could only ever access this equipment, through the either an order from the Governors Office or the Presidents Office, or possibly a Congressional Declaration of War.

BUT Thats it.  Dealing with warrants...NOT a TERRORIST situation.
Dealing with a Speeding Ticket...NOT a TERRORIST situation. Dealing with Gang Bangers...NOT a TERRORIST situation (a SWAT one perhaps). Dealing with underage drinking...NOT a TERRORIST situation. Arresting a Pot Dealer...NOT a TERRORIST situation. Arresting a Pot Smoker...NOT a TERRORIST situation.  This list could go on and on.

I am going to "double down" on this idea that, IF, they NEED them for combating Terrorists then they need to be in the Governments Armory, somewhere, and only allowed access to them through Governors, Presidents  and Congress.

Thats my two cents. Now granted, it can be tweaked. Its NOT PERFECT. But its an idea to fix a situation and not a bitch. Something I am  going to get better at doing on here. Enough of us are bitching, GUILTY of that crime here as you know, and not enough of us are pitching solutions. So I will 'change that paradigm' when it comes to Policing myself.

I do support Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) plans to file legislation to limit the militarization of local police; its not perfect either, but its a start.  

"Our main streets should be a place for business, families, and relaxation, not tanks and M16s," Johnson says in his letter. "Our local police are quickly beginning to resemble paramilitary forces. This bill will end the free transfers of certain aggressive military equipment to local law enforcement and ensure that all equipment can be accounted for." -  HuffPo.