NY Times releases military surplus gear data on GitHub • Hacker News Board

Re: NY Times releases military surplus gear data on GitHub

#31

Post by comrh » Tue, Aug 19, 2014, 9:08 PM UTC

Yikes:

AL,MONTGOMERY,1010-00-691-1382,"LAUNCHER,GRENADE",1,Each,720,2006-04-12

Re: NY Times releases military surplus gear data on GitHub

#32

Post by crazypyro » Tue, Aug 19, 2014, 9:08 PM UTC

comrh wrote: post #31

Yikes: AL,MONTGOMERY,1010-00-691-1382,"LAUNCHER,GRENADE",1,Each,720,2006-04-12 AL,MONTGOMERY,1010-00-691-1382,"LAUNCHER,GRENADE",1,Each,720,2006-04-12 AL,MONTGOMERY,1010-00-691-1382,"LAUNCHER,GRENADE",1,Each,720,2006-04-12 AL,MONTGOMERY,1010-00-691-1382,"LAUNCHER,GRENADE",1,Each,720,2006-04-12 AL,MONTGOMERY,1010-00-691-1382,"LAUNCHER,GRENADE",1,Each,720,2006-04-12 AL,MONTGOMERY,1010-00-691-1382,"LAUNCHER,GRENADE",1,E…

There's 84 total grenade launchers in the data set, if you are curious. Florida took twice as many as CA (36 to 18) and the rest of the states with them are under 10. Why Florida needs so many is another question...

Also interestingly, Montgomery got all 9 of AL's grenade launchers, more than Sacramento or LA took.

edit: actually, this data is wrong because I only used the first page, didn't even see the other 3....

Re: NY Times releases military surplus gear data on GitHub

#33

Post by comrh » Tue, Aug 19, 2014, 9:10 PM UTC

crazypyro wrote: post #32

comrh wrote: post #31

Yikes: AL,MONTGOMERY,1010-00-691-1382,"LAUNCHER,GRENADE",1,Each,720,2006-04-12 AL,MONTGOMERY,1010-00-691-1382,"LAUNCHER,GRENADE",1,Each,720,2006-04-12 AL,MONTGOMERY,1010-00-691-1382,"LAUNCHER,GRENADE",1,Each,720,2006-04-12 AL,MONTGOMERY,1010-00-691-1382,"LAUNCHER,GRENADE",1,Each,720,2006-04-12 AL,MONTGOMERY,1010-00-691-1382,"LAUNCHER,GRENADE",1,Each,720,2006-04-12 AL,MONTGOMERY,1010-00-691-1382,"LAUNCHER,GRENADE",1,E…

There's 84 total grenade launchers in the data set, if you are curious. Florida took twice as many as CA (36 to 18) and the rest of the states with them are under 10. Why Florida needs so many is another question... Also interestingly, Montgomery got all 9 of AL's grenade launchers, more than Sacramento or LA took. edit: actually, this data is wrong because I only used the first page, didn't even see the other 3....

There was a big thing made about it in Bergen County, NJ when it was first reported that they had received one. The police basically said they had no use for it and couldn't even image a reason to use it.

Re: NY Times releases military surplus gear data on GitHub

#34

Post by rrggrr » Tue, Aug 19, 2014, 9:19 PM UTC

Disappointed but I guess not surprised to see the small number of helicopters, armored vehicles and assault rifles provided to southern border states. Federal government appears happy to distribute heavy weapons anywhere except where they are needed most as evidenced by actual incidents.

Re: NY Times releases military surplus gear data on GitHub

#35

Post by ianstallings » Tue, Aug 19, 2014, 9:28 PM UTC

geetee wrote: post #24

What in the world do police need parachutes for?

Don't give them any ideas!

Re: NY Times releases military surplus gear data on GitHub

#36

Post by teachingaway » Tue, Aug 19, 2014, 9:32 PM UTC

thewopr wrote: post #16

Quick question, is the apache license really the most relevant for a dataset? Does that license apply? I ask only because I'm planning on doing something similar.

If the dataset comes from the Gov't (e.g., Freedom of Info Act), one might argue that its public domain data. If its public domain, then slapping a license on it doesn't change anything.

If its not public domain, and you want people to use it fairly freely, Apache seems like a good license.

Disclaimer: i haven't thought about this very carefully before posting. Could be wrong.

One thing I do know is that @copiesofcopies is a former EFF guy that knows open source licensing. Ask him!

Re: NY Times releases military surplus gear data on GitHub

#37

Post by lotsofmangos » Tue, Aug 19, 2014, 9:32 PM UTC

How long before state police start pointing these back upward? I mean, in some areas it is basically handing military gear to secessionists, which does not seem all that bright. I certainly wouldn't like to be the federal official charged with the job of asking for any of them back.

Re: NY Times releases military surplus gear data on GitHub

#38

Post by venomsnake » Tue, Aug 19, 2014, 9:33 PM UTC

comrh wrote: post #31

Yikes: AL,MONTGOMERY,1010-00-691-1382,"LAUNCHER,GRENADE",1,Each,720,2006-04-12 AL,MONTGOMERY,1010-00-691-1382,"LAUNCHER,GRENADE",1,Each,720,2006-04-12 AL,MONTGOMERY,1010-00-691-1382,"LAUNCHER,GRENADE",1,Each,720,2006-04-12 AL,MONTGOMERY,1010-00-691-1382,"LAUNCHER,GRENADE",1,Each,720,2006-04-12 AL,MONTGOMERY,1010-00-691-1382,"LAUNCHER,GRENADE",1,Each,720,2006-04-12 AL,MONTGOMERY,1010-00-691-1382,"LAUNCHER,GRENADE",1,E…

When you have a hammer ...

Rise of the warrior cop was very interesting read. With the gear comes the cop attitude. If you want that kind of toys in you state, you shouldn't be allowed to have them.

Re: NY Times releases military surplus gear data on GitHub

#39

Post by ceejayoz » Tue, Aug 19, 2014, 9:35 PM UTC

One county on the map has ~16k population and 640 military surplus assault rifles. If they're equipped with 30 round magazines, they can shoot everyone in the county without reloading once.

Re: NY Times releases military surplus gear data on GitHub

#40

Post by giarc » Tue, Aug 19, 2014, 9:36 PM UTC

crazypyro wrote: post #32

comrh wrote: post #31

Yikes: AL,MONTGOMERY,1010-00-691-1382,"LAUNCHER,GRENADE",1,Each,720,2006-04-12 AL,MONTGOMERY,1010-00-691-1382,"LAUNCHER,GRENADE",1,Each,720,2006-04-12 AL,MONTGOMERY,1010-00-691-1382,"LAUNCHER,GRENADE",1,Each,720,2006-04-12 AL,MONTGOMERY,1010-00-691-1382,"LAUNCHER,GRENADE",1,Each,720,2006-04-12 AL,MONTGOMERY,1010-00-691-1382,"LAUNCHER,GRENADE",1,Each,720,2006-04-12 AL,MONTGOMERY,1010-00-691-1382,"LAUNCHER,GRENADE",1,E…

There's 84 total grenade launchers in the data set, if you are curious. Florida took twice as many as CA (36 to 18) and the rest of the states with them are under 10. Why Florida needs so many is another question... Also interestingly, Montgomery got all 9 of AL's grenade launchers, more than Sacramento or LA took. edit: actually, this data is wrong because I only used the first page, didn't even see the other 3....

Why does any police force need a grenade launcher? Unless these are used for tear gas or something.