Machine Gun Mitch

Here we go again...

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Dept. has asked Commissioner's Court for permission to purchase 4 M240B machine guns that would be mounted to the new patrol boats purchased earlier.

The Sheriff's Dept. think they should have the same fire power as the U.S. Coast Guard, which is a branch of the United States military. Supposedly the guns will be used to help the Coast Guard with escorts and in the case of a "threat". What do they expect? A flotilla of terrorists on motor boats?

Does anyone remember that the terrorists hijacked the 9-11 airplanes with nothing more than box cutters?

What could Sheriff Mitch Woods want next? A submarine?

According to the Jefferson County website:

The Marine Safety Patrol is the law enforcement unit that is charged with the responsibility of patrolling the many waterways of Jefferson County. This division is comprised of certified deputies possessing the skills and knowledge of Water Safety Enforcement Laws within the State of Texas.
The duties of the Marine Safety Patrol deputies are not limited to just boating safety but much other law enforcement duties as well. These deputies respond to all types of offenses such as but not limited to: boating accidents, boat thefts, drowning, and the search and recovery of property.

Now they've added national security to the list.

I think a better idea, especially after the rash of shootings in Port Arthur this past weekend, would be to mount those suckers to a couple of cruisers and help the police in Port Arthur patrol their trouble spots. After seeing those things driving around criminals and gang bangers of the West End would be scared straight. It would take only a couple of weeks to calm things down there and then they could send them to Beaumont to patrol the North and South Ends of town and even Crockett St. which is having it's share of problems lately with arrests and fights that end with gunshots or stabbings.

Hell, they could use them during the next evacuation to flush out those that refuse to evacuate or to gun down those pesky residents trying to sneak back into the County after the next hurricane has landed...