Over 100 school law enforcement agencies have taken advantage of a Pentagon program for free military equipment to the tune of $13 million, a CBS investigation has revealed.
At least 125 school law enforcement agencies in 25 states have received military gear from the Department of Defense, the network reported Friday. Included in its numbers are 23 K-12 school districts that have taken part in the program.
“The turret has been removed, so there’s no weapons systems associated with it,” University of Texas System Director of Police Michael Heidingsfield told CBS Friday when asked about the university’s recent acquisition of a mine-resistant vehicle originally meant for use in the Middle East. The university also possesses Humvees once used by the Pentagon, one of which was used in response to a 2012 bomb threat.
A portion of the $13 million worth of equipment obtained by school law enforcement agencies included 145 pistols, 780 rifles and nine of the mine resistant vehicles, CBS reported.
“The presence of military weaponry on schools undermines public trust, and it undermines public safety, and it’s not the right response,” ACLU Senior Counsel Kara Dansky told the network.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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