Dressed for war- ferguson police

a reply to: 5StarOracle

It goes both ways. in the town were I live, there are always travesties going on. It's fun to listen into the cops digital radios. As if they think they're "secure" or something !

originally posted by: kosmicjack
Gotta say too...the optics are very poor..all white LEOs...that will not be lost on a generation who has had a belly full of police brutality against minorities and a two tiered Justice system - black/white, rich/poor.

And they all look like they have been on Roids too and I think that's part of the problem too many with a case of roid rage

Not taking the side of the police here, but you all do realize this is the St. Louis area, given the potential numbers, and potential for violence, how extremely outnumbered these police officers are?

Their overkill gear is a reflection of their fear in a worst case situation. If the black population were to go violent in significant numbers in that area, all of that gear would keep an officer alive for a little while longer.

They are prepared for the worst, they should be, this one has the potential to explode, especially if more are shot and killed by police.

originally posted by: ausername
Not taking the side of the police here, but you all do realize this is the St. Louis area, given the potential numbers, and potential for violence, how extremely outnumbered these police officers are?

Their overkill gear is a reflection of their fear in a worst case situation. If the black population were to go violent in significant numbers in that area, all of that gear would keep an officer alive for a little while longer.

They are prepared for the worst, they should be, this one has the potential to explode, especially if more are shot and killed by police.

What about the fear of the people when they have all this in their town?

And now with media coverage basically banned, they might aswell be in gaza

You know, looking at the various photos posted relevant to this post//thread, I can't help thinking about the scenario of a populace being "out gunned", much like the victims of the various undeclared wars going on now in the ME and elsewhere. Most of our citizenry does not have heavy weaponry. Some element does surely but not the majority. So what have we here, going on. Will there come a time when ordinary citizens will have to use their grampas ole trusty hunting rifle to defend against wrongful home invasions by police, killer drones, missiles, tanks,... the shooting of our lil pet Pomeranian for barking at an officer, and so forth. How many so called drug busts have turned out to be the intrusion by authorities at the wrong house.

Granted, looting and thuggery is wrong and violators have to be dealt with...no question. There are some very good police folks out there and I even know a few and they are decent folks. However, since a lot of police training has started to be done by Israel....seems some of them have a new attitude..."We are ALL the enemy". I hope that is wrong...yet in light of all the abuses being documented lately, it does give one pause for thought and concern.

Final note...any heavy equipment being donated by the military to be used on streets in the USA....those police...don't they realize said equipment is contaminated with Depleted Uranium from the war zones and that stuff don't wash off. Karma can be a b*otch.

a reply to: Thefarmer

Heya Op. I came across this a short time ago and thought you would find it interesting. The original for your second pic seems to be a part of a 32 pic set Buzzfeed has put together. It also had a bit more to the original on the right hand side.


(Source)

Another cop had the guy with the camera phone or whatever it was, well covered it seems. I'm guessing that is a pepper ball gun by what looks like a feed attached to the top of it, but no less intimidating from that perspective.

It looks like a scene out of a movie. A bad movie, at that.

I'm not all for the militarization of police EVERYWHERE, but you said it yourself, those people are looting everything, so why shouldn't the police protect themselves as much as possible? I'd be doing the same if I were there.

I am working just 10 minutes from ST Louis on Rt 3.

You people have no friggin idea what is going down. People are staying away from shops and city affairs. People are affraid because the word on the street is that these idiots are wanting to spread the rioting to Fairview Heights. It is a busy shoppinng mall by Belleville Illinois. It is litterally 20 to 30 minutes away from ST Louis.

We should not be affraid to drive down the streets or go to a busy gas station because of no good friggin idiots.

I say if you are caught looting you should be shot in the damn kneecap. Dont want to get shot, then stay home or away from the ignorant asses.

It is time to get harsh and stop this madness. Innocent people dont break awindow and carry out ten pair of Jordan's then burn the place down.

It has to stop. If you dont agree then just wait until it happens in your area, then we will see what tune you are playing.

a reply to: Irishhaf

That was an ex marine and it is funny you mentioned him, he was just interviewed on the Alex Jones show like a day ago and the guy is very credentialed and credible, I really do not like guys just one step from rent a cop, now being outfitted like 3rd or 4th infantry, with the same or like weaponry being unleashed without any real clear purpose or backout plans, we all know that during the riots in the 60's even the national guard were less than effective when it comes to protests of large scale, especially when people start setting fires and adding to the mayhem.

originally posted by: Thefarmer
a reply to: ~Lucidity

It was because of a police officer this is happening

If your gunna get scared and kill some one for it maybe he should of gone for a different career

I know why it's happening.

originally posted by: Sremmos80
a reply to: ~Lucidity

No, not a banana but not militarized gear either, there is a medium there.
They are not responding to an invading army, they are responding to pissed off citizens
You know, the ones they serve and protect?

Medium?

Vest? Helmet? Is that too "militarized" for you as well?

Hollow points? Cop killers? R.I.Ps? These people were shouting "kill the police."

Yeah there's a medium here and neither side is there.

A collection of pics from these events. Link

Something has to give...and soon. This is simply crazy.

Absolutely, looters and criminals should be apprehended and prosecuted...no question. They should be put on trial. If they are armed and shooting, they need to be stopped. No question!! If local citizens are in danger, they have a right to be protected and I applaud any officer that is doing his best to maintain law and order. My main concern are the "other" times when "overkill" occurs. The looting situation is one thing....but it isn't all so black and white...pardon the pun. There are SO many documented cases nowadays where ordinary folks are mistakenly hurt or killed or where folks are killed for being belligerent yet un armed. Many cases now of wrong addresses being given out and officers intrude into the home and injure and even kill innocent folks...burn babies with flash bangs and such...shoot a dog that weighs 2 lbs. Those are the incidents that are concerning.

The use of tanks and drones and maybe missiles someday, that is troubling. The ordinary citizen doesn't have such in their backyard to use back for self defense. How far does it all have to go? When a country starts to look like a "war zone", ordinary people have to start to think and wonder about that. Seeing tanks and drones going through a small town of 1,000 or less could be scary and unnecessary. What's an ordinary citizen to do...start throwing rocks at them and firing off grandpaws ole rusty gun. Gee, that sounds familiar. Law and order is one thing...being out gunned and EVERYONE being treated like the enemy is another. The looters are wrong for sure. Are we ALL the enemy now though. That's the question.

Law abiding citizens do not want to see officers hurt or killed...now way...they have families they should be able to come home to. Law abiding citizens do not want to live in fear from being out gunned or of overkill either. It is a 2 way street.

originally posted by: ~Lucidity

originally posted by: Sremmos80
a reply to: ~Lucidity

No, not a banana but not militarized gear either, there is a medium there.
They are not responding to an invading army, they are responding to pissed off citizens
You know, the ones they serve and protect?

Medium?

Vest? Helmet? Is that too "militarized" for you as well?

Hollow points? Cop killers? R.I.Ps? These people were shouting "kill the police."

Yeah there's a medium here and neither side is there.

St Louis is not a nice place to be located in. Downtown is the only relative "safe" part of the place. East St Louis rival LA in gang activity, North St Louis isn't far behind.

These people are ruthless and don't give a darn about anything. But you don't see people talking about that. Every single day on the news there are multiple murders and gang related activity.

I just have a question for the people on this thread, do you expect these guys to walk around and handout flyers telling people it would better serve their community to stay calm?

I am just curious as to how many people on this thread/site have driven through North or East St Louis at night, hell even day time for that matter.

Apparently ANON delivers a strict list of demands for local police and legislators:

More: The voice adds a motion of support for citizens of Ferguson, Mo., who've taken to the streets in the past two days to express their dissent over Saturday's shooting. "To the good people of Ferguson, take heart and take your streets," it says. "You are not alone." It also contains a warning to local police: "We are watching you very closely ... If you abuse, harass or harm in any way the protesters in Ferguson we will take every web-based asset of your departments and governments offline. That is not a threat. It is a promise."

Link to source

Twitter is blowing up over the police allegedly shooting a NY times journalist with rubber bullets. I thought the media was being kept out.

How much oppression should a community have to take before it's ok to fight back?
How many times can due process and the law be unfairly used against a community before it's ok to ignore it?

Where is the line? I would really like to know because all i see anymore is situation where a community or group is screwed over again and again. The moment they get sick of it, everyone condemns them for not using due process, or the justice system.

When the tools you have available are designed to cause you harm, why would you use them?

Show me the "right way" these people are supposed to take action against these injustices and i will point out why it will not work and does nothing more than perpetuate the oppression.

When you are backed into a corner, sometimes the only option left is to attack.

originally posted by: Thefarmer
a reply to: Irishhaf

It seems like the in the aftermath of the Boston bombings this is a dry run for martial law

The mayor said that, "amendment rights are not valid after dusk." I am watching my local news and NOTHING is being said. So far it's about Robin Williams and a couple who stole an iPod at a yogurt shop. Mind blowing...

another Twitter update and photos...this is so worrying and a tinder box.


His Twitter reports a line of officers in combat gear blocking downtown Ferguson.



His last tweet showed some restraint thankfully on the part of officers. I hope people can come together and work through this tragedy.

Police line thinning amid calm at W Florissant & Canfield Dr (street where#MikeBrown was killed). 2 trucks and many officers retreated

@jonswaine on Twitter

ETA He posted a pic of wooden pieces from a street in Ferguson he says matches protestors' description of what was shot at them last night too.

a reply to: SpaDe_

Thank you! I knew there was another high profile case where the air space was restricted..just couldn't remember ..but, you're right- it was Chris Dorner. I think there might be another though? I guess it's the new normal.