Some New Jersey lawmakers are calling for a review of a military program that has delivered millions of dollars worth of surplus military equipment to local law enforcement agencies in the wake of the police response to protesters in Ferguson, Missouri.
A spokeswoman for the federal Defense Logistics Agency says local police departments have received equipment valued at $5.1 billion. The items range from office equipment and blankets to high-powered weapons.
Data show shipments to New Jersey include hundreds of automatic rifles as well as utility trucks, armored vehicles, night-vision binoculars and even a grenade launcher.
Democratic State Senator Nia Gill has written to New Jersey Attorney General John Hoffman asking him to review the state's participation in the program after observing the forceful police response to protesters in Ferguson.
President Obama has also called for a re-examination of the programs.
