The DoD is selling off the old equipment to local LEOs for pennies on the dollar.

Simultaneously, the terms of the sale dictate that they must use those military items within a year of purchase, or they have to return the items.

This is why the police are increasingly using military gear in situations for which they are not warranted.

I don't like this source, per se, but I've seen it posted elsewhere, and this is the handiest one right now, so here it is.

http://www.allgov.com/news/top-stories/tanks-on-the-streets-...