Should military surplus be given to school districts?

2015-07-03T20:31:45-04:00

San Diego School District Gets MRAP and the Los Angeles School District Gets Grenade Launchers. What?? This was my thought as I was searching for something about the militarization of our schools. Further investigation revealed that the Los Angeles School District returned the grenade launchers but kept the rifles. What is you opinion on this?
http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/the-la-school-district-has-grenade-launchers-because-w [login to see]

The LA School District Has Grenade Launchers

In all the hullabaloo over the past few days about the San Diego School District's new MRAP, we missed the most wonderful news of all. Not only is the Los Angeles Unified School District getting an MRAP, too, they also casually disclosed that they've had three grenade launchers since 2001. A School District Bought An 18-Ton MRAP Because The World Is Insane A School District Bought An 18-Ton MRAP Because The World Is Insane A School District...

Response by LTC Gavin Heater made Jul 3 at 2015 8:40 PM

2015-07-03T20:40:42-04:00

I think community based policing, police living within the neighborhoods they serve, and higher minority officer representation in the community served make more sense than armored vehicles and assault weapons. Granted LA is a huge city compared to Boston, but what I mentioned is working in Boston.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2015 8:41 PM

2015-07-03T20:41:53-04:00

I vote yes, CPT Private RallyPoint Member. There's an LA Unified School District Police Department, and the first time they can't respond to an active shooter or a terrorist, they'll be raked over the coals in the media. I'd say they're damned if the do and (potentially, at least) damned if they don't.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jul 3 at 2015 8:46 PM

2015-07-03T20:46:21-04:00

Before we get on the Paranoia bandwagon, let me point out that some school districts actually have "police departments." The High School which I graduated from was part of Northside Independent School District, and they had a Police Department, as in actual uniformed police.

Second "grenade launcher" includes things like Tear Gas launchers (M79), and M203. A "patrol rifle" in a squad car with one of these on it would not necessarily be out of place.

Although I despise the concept of militarizing our police as much as the next person, we need to look at what is actually happening, and whether the reporting is misleading.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jul 4 at 2015 12:48 AM

2015-07-04T00:48:01-04:00

Response by SGT Richard H. made Jul 4 at 2015 12:16 PM

2015-07-04T12:16:39-04:00

When I saw the thread title, I was thinking GSA type stuff...desks, maybe pickup trucks, lawnmowers, or whatever. MRAPs? HELL no.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 4 at 2015 12:16 PM

2015-07-04T12:16:54-04:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member, not only should school districts not have military equipment, the police departments should also not have military equipment!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2015 4:34 AM

2015-07-05T04:34:35-04:00

Well, the "patrol rifles" are probably only intended to shoot that psychotic school shooter, gang members, or the onesies or twosies of bad students crossing the line.

Those grenade launchers are probably for blowing up an entire classroom if groups of kids are getting too rowdy - or the occasional gang rally.

The MRAP? ...that's obviously to crash through the school walls like the Kool Aid man if the entire student body is revolting.

It's all justifiable. Their super intendant used to be the local prison warden. He knows how to reform a bad kid or two.

Response by SPC Christopher Salustro made Jul 15 at 2015 2:26 PM

2015-07-15T14:26:35-04:00

I can see some points in this. In the wake of all the school shootings. People think more cops more security same for guns, more guns more security. Though that's not really true, it's a socially accepted myth.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Oct 23 at 2015 6:36 PM

2015-10-23T18:36:10-04:00

Why the hell not, if the school has a police department, if it keeps gangs out of the schools. Why the hell not. Get over it folks, we live in a violent country, we need to take it back.