Local law enforcement agencies across the US have been secretly purchasing military-grade gear at heavily discounted prices, thanks to a little-known federal program called 1122. The program allows local cops to buy equipment from the military's budget, essentially making the government their shopping agent.
The most eye-catching purchases were made by armored vehicles, video surveillance programs, and thermal imagers – all examples of the kind of gear typically reserved for war zones. In total, Women for Weapons Trade Transparency reported $127 million in purchases under the program, which they estimate could be as high as $500 million if all spending was accounted for.
While the 1033 program has gotten more attention due to its widespread use among local police departments, the 1122 program is equally concerning. It allows agencies to buy military-grade equipment at a fraction of the cost, with an average discount of around 20 percent. This not only skews the market but also creates an uneven playing field for law enforcement agencies.
In Texas, for example, the Department of Public Safety's intelligence and counterterrorism unit purchased a $1.5 million surveillance software license, while another agency bought a $428,000 thermal imaging system, typically used in military helicopters.
The program has been shrouded in secrecy due to the lack of centralized data from the Army, which serves as its "executive agent." Women for Weapons Trade Transparency had to file dozens of record requests at the state and local level just to get a glimpse into how much equipment was being purchased.
Lillian Mauldin, co-founder of the nonprofit group behind the report, argues that such programs can have dire consequences on free speech and create an environment of intimidation. "All of these things combined serve as a threat to free speech, an intimidation tactic to protest," she said.
The Trump administration's decision to revoke an executive order issued by Biden meant to limit the transfer of aggressive military gear to local police has added fuel to the fire. Critics fear that this move will embolden law enforcement agencies to continue buying increasingly militarized equipment.
As The Intercept pointed out, "It is concerning...to think that our police departments have increasingly more access to this type of military-style gear to facilitate these raids and arrests."
With a growing number of local agencies aiding in mass deportations, the 1122 program poses an even greater risk to public safety. It's time for lawmakers to take notice and put a stop to this opaque program before it's too late.
Local police departments are spending tens of millions of dollars on military-grade equipment thanks to a little-known federal program called 1122. The program allows local cops to buy military gear at heavily discounted prices, posing an even greater risk to public safety as more agencies join forces with ICE in raids targeting immigrants and protesters.
The Trump administration's decision to revoke an executive order meant to limit aggressive military gear transfer has added fuel to the fire, raising concerns about the consequences on free speech and intimidating tactics against protest groups.
Critics warn that this move will embolden law enforcement agencies to continue buying increasingly militarized equipment. As one expert put it, "It is concerning...to think that our police departments have increasingly more access to this type of military-style gear to facilitate these raids and arrests."
The most eye-catching purchases were made by armored vehicles, video surveillance programs, and thermal imagers – all examples of the kind of gear typically reserved for war zones. In total, Women for Weapons Trade Transparency reported $127 million in purchases under the program, which they estimate could be as high as $500 million if all spending was accounted for.
While the 1033 program has gotten more attention due to its widespread use among local police departments, the 1122 program is equally concerning. It allows agencies to buy military-grade equipment at a fraction of the cost, with an average discount of around 20 percent. This not only skews the market but also creates an uneven playing field for law enforcement agencies.
In Texas, for example, the Department of Public Safety's intelligence and counterterrorism unit purchased a $1.5 million surveillance software license, while another agency bought a $428,000 thermal imaging system, typically used in military helicopters.
The program has been shrouded in secrecy due to the lack of centralized data from the Army, which serves as its "executive agent." Women for Weapons Trade Transparency had to file dozens of record requests at the state and local level just to get a glimpse into how much equipment was being purchased.
Lillian Mauldin, co-founder of the nonprofit group behind the report, argues that such programs can have dire consequences on free speech and create an environment of intimidation. "All of these things combined serve as a threat to free speech, an intimidation tactic to protest," she said.
The Trump administration's decision to revoke an executive order issued by Biden meant to limit the transfer of aggressive military gear to local police has added fuel to the fire. Critics fear that this move will embolden law enforcement agencies to continue buying increasingly militarized equipment.
As The Intercept pointed out, "It is concerning...to think that our police departments have increasingly more access to this type of military-style gear to facilitate these raids and arrests."
With a growing number of local agencies aiding in mass deportations, the 1122 program poses an even greater risk to public safety. It's time for lawmakers to take notice and put a stop to this opaque program before it's too late.
Local police departments are spending tens of millions of dollars on military-grade equipment thanks to a little-known federal program called 1122. The program allows local cops to buy military gear at heavily discounted prices, posing an even greater risk to public safety as more agencies join forces with ICE in raids targeting immigrants and protesters.
The Trump administration's decision to revoke an executive order meant to limit aggressive military gear transfer has added fuel to the fire, raising concerns about the consequences on free speech and intimidating tactics against protest groups.
Critics warn that this move will embolden law enforcement agencies to continue buying increasingly militarized equipment. As one expert put it, "It is concerning...to think that our police departments have increasingly more access to this type of military-style gear to facilitate these raids and arrests."
. The fact that local law enforcement agencies are buying up all this military-grade gear at like 20% off is already sketchy enough. I'm not even sure why we're surprised it's happening, though - have you seen the state of our politics lately? 
It's no wonder police departments are feeling empowered to do whatever they want.
I'm getting flashbacks of the 80s when cop shows like 'Miami Vice' made everything look so cool and high-tech. Now it's just unsettling to see local law enforcement agencies buying up all this military-grade stuff at a fraction of the cost. It's like something straight out of a bad action movie 
. And what really gets me is that there's no transparency – it's all shrouded in secrecy, and even record requests had to be filed dozens of times just to get a glimpse into how much equipment was being purchased 
. I mean, what's next? Armored tanks on Main St.? 
It's not about public safety; it's about the environment we're creating for our communities. Can't we just have some basic human decency and treat each other like neighbors instead of suspects? 
It just feels like a recipe for disaster 
. We need to make sure that our law enforcement agencies are being held accountable for how they're using their power, not having some sneaky program giving them more and more tools without telling us about it 
.
u r totally worried about the 1122 program 
. think abt the implications on free speech & public safety 
... all these agencies getting militarized equipment at a fraction of the cost creates an uneven playing field & skews the market 
. what if some departments start using this gear to intimidate protesters or carry out mass deportations? 
that's just plain scary 
. i feel u need lawmakers 2 take notice ASAP & put a stop 2 this opaque program before it's too late 
. And what's with the secrecy? If this program is so legit, why can't we get some basic info on how much equipment is being bought and what it's used for? 
. I'm not sure if anyone actually thought this would be a good idea or if they just went along with it because no one else said anything, but it's got everyone from critics to experts sounding alarm bells 
. We need to take a closer look at how our law enforcement agencies are getting their gear and make sure we're not creating an environment where people feel intimidated or afraid to protest 
.
. I'm not sure what's going on in this country, but it definitely doesn't feel right 
.
. newsflash, 1122 program: we're onto you! 
And these departments are getting some serious toys, like armored vehicles, video surveillance programs, and thermal imagers 
What's next? A SWAT team of robotic police officers? 
It's just not right. These agencies are already so militarized, with the Trump administration even giving them more guns and gear. We need to hold our lawmakers accountable for this before it's too late 
texas department of public safety just bought a $1.5 million surveillance software license lol what a waste of taxpayer money 
it's not like they're going to use it to spy on us or anything, that's just paranoia... besides, the feds are basically doing their job by hooking up these programs to local law enforcement.
, like they're creating a whole separate army within the law enforcement agencies. $127 million in purchases just from women for weapons trade transparency isn't even close to being the total amount... I wonder what else is going on that's not being reported 
.
. We need to keep an eye on this situation and make sure our voices are heard 
.