Since January 2021, more than $106M in combat gear has been transferred to Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs). Formally signed into law in 1997 as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the 1033 Program continues to haunt working-class and colonized folks in the U.S. The program administered by the Department of Defense fosters a culture of militarism in law enforcement agencies that lead to an increase in violent behavior among officers. The more weapons transferred, the more deadly the encounters with armed agents of the state. SWAT team raids were originally practiced on low-level offenders and today, militarized gear via 1033 such as MRAPs are used to serve simple arrest warrants. Since the start of the year, police have killed 366 people with 28% of those victims being Black folks.

In New York City, Mayor Eric Adams’ 2022 budget proposes cuts to every department except the police. This is despite the fact that the NYPD already has a larger budget than that of Ukraine’s military. Alongside revamping the anti-gun unit, Adams is considering using Israeli drones to further terrorize the local population under the guise of fighting crime. The drones cost $70,000 to $100,000 per piece, a sum which can be used towards social programs but instead is potentially going towards further militarization of the state. With Biden increasing police budgets on a federal level and local LEAs such as the NYPD possessing a budget of $10.4 billion, it is clear that right-wing democrats are dedicated to war abroad and domestically with no relief for the working-class in sight.

Florence Police Department suspended from federal government equipment program

  • Following a surprise audit by the state coordinator, Florence PD in Colorado was suspended for failing to show $6,745 of equipment acquired through the 1033 Program

  • Suspension to take place for only 60 days

  • Although this likely came from a misunderstanding or lack of simple failure to produce the equipment on time, this suspension comes following more recent calls by residents and former city council members to withdraw from the program

  • It is unclear as to the state of the program following this suspension, but Florence PD is likely to continue using equipment

Study: Militarizing police doesn’t reduce crime

  • Re-sharing of 2020 study published by LSU and Emory that confirmed with significant evidence that police militarization through the 1033 Program does not reduce crime

  • Emory Professor Tom Clark succinctly noted that “The most important thing for policy makers and the public to know is that you can’t justify giving surplus military equipment to police departments on the grounds it will lead to a reduction in crime.”

  • Research also concluded that further militarization had also led to worse relationships between citizens and police, as well as making the job less safe for cops

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Banner photo: A Police officer with an assault rifle watches protesters from an armored vehicle. (Ricardo Arduengo/Getty Images)