Do the 'zoo police' under the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC really need body armor?
FEDS SPENDING MILLIONS TO ARM AGENCIES
THAT DON'T NEED GUNS
By Kellan Howell | Washington Times | January 8, 2016
VA, EPA, FDA among those nabbing heavy armaments
Many federal agencies are now empowered with increasing police weaponry and technologies.
In our next study - coming soon - entitled OpenTheBooks Oversight Report - Arming of the Federal Agencies, we will quantify the purchases of guns, ammo and military-style equipment since 2006.
According to our data at OpenTheBooks.com, $400 million across all federal agencies outside of the Department of Defense was spent on body armor which includes $330 million spent by the traditional law-enforcement agencies such as FBI, Secret Service, U.S. Marshals, and Homeland Security.
Here's a snapshot of what was purchased by the administrative agencies as 'body armor':
1. Small Business Administration spent $13,119 on 'ballistic vests' in 2010.
2. Smithsonian Institution purchased $28,474 on body armor for its 'zoo police and security officers' in FY2012.
3. Over $200,000 by Environmental Protection Agency purchasing body armor during the Obama administration and only $30,000 during the previous three years.
4. Over $300,000 by Food and Drug Administration in 'ballistic vests and carriers' during FY2014.
5. $2 million spent by Veterans Administration on riot helmets, defender shields, body armor, Milo return fire cannon system, armored mobile shields, Kevlar blankets, tactical gear, tactical equipment for crowd control, and much more.
Stay tuned... 2016 is going to be a ground-breaking year.