Records requests shine more light on the military surplus‚ from automatic weapons to armored cars, in the hands of local law enforcement.
Above: An armored car owned by the Asheville Police Department, photographed in 2008. Photo © Jason Sandford, used with permission.
A week ago, I highlighted the Blade’s records requests for military equipment received by local law enforcement over the last decade under a major federal program. The militarization of police — along with widespread racism and a lack of accountability from law enforcement — is one of the issues highlighted by the disturbing events in Ferguson, Mo.
One of the main sources for military surplus is the 1033 program, passed in 1996. In the last piece, I also highlighted a New York Times interactive map showing how much equipment state and local agencies in counties across the country received, as well as an extensive archive from the state ACLU with documents concerning the militarization of local police throughout North Carolina.
The two largest local law enforcement agencies are the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office and the Asheville Police Department. Both responded to my requests promptly, including after I followed up the initial requests by asking for the records of all equipment dating back to the 1033’s programs origins in 1996 (weaponry and vehicles can remain in use for many years).
Notably, neither agency received any military surplus through the 1033 program since 2007, though APD reports about the state of its tactical team in both 2011 and 2012 noted that the armored car was leaking and the weapons were old and in need of replacement. Current APD Chief William Anderson has held the job since 2012, and Sheriff Van Duncan has occupied his office since 2007.
Also, while 1033 has received much of the focus, it’s far from the only way local police departments get military gear. Extra cash from drug seizures is another major source. The Asheville Police Department’s tactical team, for example, has 16 AR15 rifles, five submachine guns, four sniper rifles and a Barrett anti-materiel rifle, according to its 2012 weapons and equipment inspection, and none of that was obtained through 1033. The team’s 2012 report noted that the APD had to delay replacing some of its equipment with drug seizure money, because those funds were instead going to audit the evidence room after missing guns, drugs and money were reported.
The Asheville Blade has requested the 2013 annual tactical team report and weapons inspection. The city has replied that they’re reviewing the request with their legal department.
Here are the lists for each department, along with any notes about the equipment that the respective agencies provided.
Asheville Police Department
Over the last decade the only item the APD received through the 1033 program was an armored car, in 2007. It is no longer in use.
When the city answered the follow-up request, it provide the following list of equipment received from 1996-2004:
Backpacks. The city’s records release notes “items used in 1999 by Asheville Police Officers during Mutual/Humanitarian Aid to Hurricane Floyd Flood Victims in Eastern NC.”
Canteens. Records note “majority of the items used were left with or donated to Local Agencies and/or victims.”
Field Jackets.
Cold Weather Clothing
Stretchers
Generator, since auctioned
Desktop Computer, since auctioned
Three pickup trucks, auctioned in 1999
Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office
The Sheriff’s Office was a good deal more specific in when they received specific equipment. Here’s their list of items received under 1033 over the past decade:
8/27/2007—One computer that has been discarded
10/26/2014—12 M14 rifles; “two of these rifles are currently deployed the other ten are locked in a gun vault at the Sheriff’s Office.”
10/26/2004—25 M16 rifles; “six of these rifles are deployed the other 19 are locked in a gun at the Sheriff’s Office.”
Here’s the list of items received from 1996-2003:
2/12/2003—10 load-bearing vests
9/24/2001—utility truck
2/17/2000—10 Body armor
2/17/2000—60 Filter gas masks
8/21/1998— pick-up truck
4/30/1998— a generator
4/30/1998—60 body armor vests
2/20/1996— 2.5 ton truck
2/20/1996— a generator
The Blade will continue to look into this issue and others around local law enforcement.
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