Quote Originally Posted by 313WX View Post
Conspiracy theories aside, if you consider the facts in front of us, it's easy to put 2 and 2 together and get 4.

The crime rate in America is at its lowest in decades. Yet the police managed to handle the crime problems just fine in the past, which were much greater, without being nearly as militarized as they are now.

That said, we are on the cusp of a major economic collapse with tons of innocent, armed citizens who will have to be subdued as they react in fear to the catastrophic events that will ensue [[see the NDAA just signed into law). Obviously the US military won't have the manpower and resources able to subdue these people alone, so they're going to enlist the help of local police departments which is why they're being militarized.
You're ignoring the possible correction between low crime rate and the militarization of the police. I don't think this is the case, but it makes more sense than your argument that a low crime rate suggests no need for sophisticated equipment.

It will be interesting to see what happens in NYC. There as great success in crime reduction during an era where broken windows reigned. Now we're going to try out dispassionate policing, where the police find it best to avoid conflict at any cost -- lest they be branded as using disproportionate force. Time will tell us how the crime rate and squeegemen respond.