John Stossel on the Militarization of American Police

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These days the Pentagon and Department of Homeland Security equip even the tiniest rural police departments with massive military vehicles, body armor, and grenade launchers. The equipment is surplus from the long wars we fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams were once used only in emergencies such as riots or robberies where hostages were taken. But today there are more than 50,000 "no-knock raids" a year.

It's healthy for conservatives, libertarians, and liberals alike to worry about this militarization of police, John Stossel argues. Government always grows, and government is force. Force is always dangerous.