Security guys (in grey) inside Newark Airport

[2571]

What kind of longarms are they carrying? They certainly are dressed to intimidate, enough so that I didn't want to stare. Are those auto weapons or semi-automatic? Are they TSA or Port Authority?

Guys I saw looked tired, bored and not very re-assuring.

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[Jim K]

Probably either Port Authority or NJ State Police. The latest big kick in LE is patrolling airports carrying MP5's, looking as intimidating as possible, and frightening women and children. Any real terrorist knows the whole thing is a farce and will ignore the strutting Gestapo wannabes.

Jim

[Marty C]

Wow! That is a bold statement considering that the "gestapo wannabes" as you put it are the first ones to run towards the sounds of danger as most everyone else is either screaming or running away for their lives. The Officers described are either Port Authority Tactical Unit or possibly NJSP. As far as "looking intimidating and frightening women and children" as you put it, that sounds like a very bitter statement. Having worn the uniform and actually responded to danger, most likely to protect you, I have to wonder if you have had your share of problems with Law Enforcement and are bitter or perhaps you even thought of becoming a Police Officer at one time and were rejected? Either way it is because of those very men and women, whom you mock, who shoulder weapons and go into harms way so that you can feel safer in an airport or train station. Instead of being so frustrated and perhaps feeling a little inferior, try thanking one of the officers for their willingness to protect everyone......even you! I will close by saying something you have most likely heard many times "Have a nice day and please slow down"!

[JB White]

It's more like a general dislike for what many of todays LEO's portray when they aren't doing those things you said. Their 'mightier-than-thou' attitudes and talking down to people as though they are dogs rather than citizens.
Mostly because we don't enjoy living in a para-military police state and for now we still have the right to voice our distain.

The overall respect for policemen in general that existed in the 50's and 60's has gone the way of the Dodo. Thank your LEO brothers in black tactical gear and Rambo personalities for that.

[Marty C]

I don't want to drag this out but I would like to reply to a few of your statements. The "mightier than thou" attitude you may have experienced could be the result of having to take control and exhibit a command presence. Many times in my 28 years of Law Enforcement i was forced to be less than polite in order to get the attention i needed to control a situation. No, not everybody should be treated like a criminal, But yes, some people need to be treated like a criminal. That is just a fact of life. No one deserves to be talked "down to" or "like a dog" unless of course they are acting less than human and more like a dog! I for do not support a para-military state. Having served my time in the USMC and Law Enforcement I do see the need for freedom and NOT a police state. As far as your statement "Thank your LEO brothers in black tactical gear and Rambo personalities" i would simply reply that the black tactical gear is great, works well and is free, they issue it to us as part of our mission. The "Rambo personality" really does come in handy when you are going up against those who would cause you harm, you know what I mean, the people who cause you and others to run and fear. We do not have that option, we must press forward and in some cases give our lives so that you can continue to post messages here. I will close by saying this. The vast MAJORITY of Police Officers are people just like you. Perhaps a bit more aggressive and willing to face the threats out there. But they have families and dreams as you do. They also like to be treated with respect and dignity. Keep this in mind and perhaps you will relax and not be so on edge around those who are carrying more firepower than you " People (like you) sleep peaceably in their beds at night because rough men (and women) stand ready to do violence on their behalf". Semper-FI.

[Ken C.]

Marty, you said it as well as it can be said. I will add that the only ones who will truly understand what you are saying is others who have stood in your shoes. Most people are not going to condemn everybody on the force because of the misdeeds of a few. What is easily forgotten is that the police are as human as everyone else, and subject to the same failings, in some cases. Another thing largely overlooked by the people who do not have to deal with them is just how many scumbag lowlifes there are among us. Fortunately, the vast majority of people are NOT intimidated by the police, and that does NOT make them Sheeple. Thats my opinion anyway. Ken C.

[Dan Wilson]

Personally I don't think the full auto subguns that these "cops" carry should be permissible.
Why do they have rights and privileges that Citizens don't have?

If there is problems do you think that you want some puke gestapo with a sub-gun spraying and praying "to protect little old me" even though their marksmanship is frequently very questionable or someone that may shoot something that requires aimed fire and accuracy.

Sorry Marty, but "cops/gestapo" whatever their pedigree have NO PLACE with full auto subguns PERIOD

I have every confidence in being able to protect me and mine so I could give a squat less if there were no cops at all.

Dan

[Marty C]

"Why do they have rights and privileges that citizens don't have?" Ok, I will attempt to answer your question although I do believe the answer is obvious. They, some well trained Police Special Units, carry full auto capable weapons because they train with them and can deploy them when necessary. Having trained these Teams ( here and overseas ) I personally prefer a 3-shot burst over a full-auto weapon because of round accountability. In a war zone it is nice to have full-auto and lay down suppressive fire to allow Team movement but in most cases involving Police action full-auto can be a liability. Now unless you actually asked to see the weapons in question they may have had a 3-shot burst limit and you assumed it to be fill-auto. Now to the point. Most if not all Special Police Units are far better trained than the "range warrior" who has no idea of what an actual gunfight is all about and has only faced paper or plastic targets. These Units train several times a month in drills that the average citizen could not perform without the same dedication and training. It can be very rewarding to dump a magazine into a "bad-guy" and know that his intend on harming you or others has been stopped. I really have to chuckle at those of you who display such an anger towards the Law Enforcement Community and state that they "could give a squat if there were no cops at all". Maybe you can protect yourself, maybe not. But no matter what your opinion of Law Enforcement is the beauty is that they, the Police, stand ready and willing to come to your aid when you realize your overmatched and the "paper" is shooting back. And for the record, I fully support the carrying of firearms by EVERYONE...with three conditions. A-Criminal background check B-Mental health check (hey I might not pass that one) and last but just as important, proof of completion of a basic firearms course, you pick it, NRA, Local Club or which ever will train a person in basic firearms safety. Hey, you have to (or at least should have to) pass a test to drive a car!

[0311Shooter]

I have no dog in this pony race but I have an opinion.

Have met a lot of LEO's and there are good ones, VERY good ones in fact, and there are a few bad ones. Some relish the job and use it to blow out their chests. To them, every person on the road deserves a ticket, every law breaker should be snuffed out.

But the good ones consider it a job, yet an important job, to defend the weak and to stop the criminal element. They see honest citizens as those who would work with them, help them if they needed help too.

So, some bad people, but mostly good people. Gee, kinda like humans in general.

[Marty C]

Well said. as in ANY profession there are good and bad examples. Not everyone deserves a ticket and not everyone is a criminal. Sometimes pride in your work can force out your chest and that may not be such a bad thing. I always appreciated the citizen who stopped to help or at least gave a statement supporting my actions against a person resisting arrest and attempting to harm me or my partner. I also appreciate the fact that there are trained and armed citizens who would assist in a tight spot. But so far most of the attitude on this particular subject has been very angry and anti-Law Enforcement. I can honestly tell you that during my many years running highway drug interdiction and felony stops it was that attitude that got you pulled out of your car and locked up. The result was always a person hiding some sort of drug, weapon or warrant. i could never figure that out. Why not be nice and smile, let the nice Policeman write his ticket and send you on your way. Every time it was the attitude that did them in. Oh well, that was my past life. Now i get to pass on my experience to the next generation.