Local police unlikely to be affected by military surplus bans

EVERETT — The military-style arming of local law enforcement makes for a splashy headline.

In recent protests across the country, attention has focused on the use of military hardware by small departments.

The reality is that for decades police in Snohomish County and across the region have been using military hand-me-downs with little or no fanfare.

For example, the Snohomish County sheriff’s rescue helicopter, a high-profile Huey named SnoHawk 10, was obtained as surplus in the 1990s, as was the sheriff’s smaller helicopter.

Both the Lynnwood and Oak Harbor police departments own the armored personnel carriers known as MRAPs or Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, public records show. Altogether, police in Snohomish and Island counties have received more than $1.6 million worth of surplus equipment — much of it at a deep discount.

Both the local MRAPs, roll on regular tires, not tank-style tracks.

Last week, President Barack Obama’s administration announced plans for new bans on certain kinds of military surplus being used by civilian police. The ban extends to grenade launchers, bayonets and MRAPs on tracks, according to a story in The Washington Post.

Local authorities are paying attention, said Cmdr. Chuck Steichen with the Lynnwood Police Department. By his read, Lynnwood’s rig won’t be affected by the new rules.

Police quickly figured out that MRAPs on tracks, instead of wheels, didn’t fare well on urban streets, he said.

The Lynnwood MRAP was valued at $658,000 in fall 2013, records show. It was obtained by the department and is maintained in Lynnwood, but isn’t limited to the city of 36,000, Steichen said.

It responds to the entire area served by the regional North Sound Metro SWAT Team. That includes roughly 300,000 people living in Lynnwood, Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace, Monroe, Bothell and Lake Forest Park.

The MRAP is deployed on operations involving the Special Weapons and Tactics team, Steichen said.

Oak Harbor’s rig was valued at $733,000 when it was shipped last May. It also has standard tires, designed for use on roads, Police Chief Ed Green said.

“It is our armored vehicle and is operational but is only used in high-risk situations, not for routine patrol,” he said. His department also received two rifles, a gun rack and a treadmill.

The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office owns a Bearcat that’s more than 8 feet tall, including the turret, and more than 17 feet long.

The Bearcat was purchased using a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant, officials said.

For Snohomish and Island counties, the most common surplus items were 5.56mm rifles — 46 in all, worth $24,200.

Those were followed by GPS units, 7.62mm rifles and combat helmets. For example, Monroe’s police force received three of the helmets in 2009, each worth $274.

Night-vision goggles went to both county sheriff offices.

Other local police agencies that received surplus items include Marysville, Mountlake Terrace and Tulalip. Because of the MRAP, Lynnwood received the most in Snohomish County in terms of dollar amount. The sheriff’s office here received the highest number of items at 22.

The database largely focuses on the years 2006 through 2014.

Reporter Scott North contributed to this story.

Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.

Check it out

Browse the federal database at tinyurl.com/n69olm5.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Frank DeMiero founded and directed the Seattle Jazz Singers, a semi-professional vocal group. They are pictured here performing at the DeMiero Jazz Festival. (Photos courtesy the DeMiero family)
‘He dreamed out loud’: Remembering music educator Frank DeMiero

DeMiero founded the music department at Edmonds College and was a trailblazer for jazz choirs nationwide.

Provided photo 
Tug Buse sits in a period-correct small ship’s boat much like what could have been used by the Guatamozin in 1803 for an excursion up the Stillaguamish River.
Local historian tries to track down historic pistol

Tug Buse’s main theory traces back to a Puget Sound expedition that predated Lewis and Clark.

Archbishop Murphy High School on Friday, Feb. 28 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Former teacher charged with possession of child pornography

Using an online investigation tool, detectives uncovered five clips depicting sexual exploitation of minors.

A person waits in line at a pharmacy next to a sign advertising free flu shots with most insurance on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Have you had the flu yet, Snohomish County? You’re not alone.

The rate of flu-related hospitalizations is the highest it’s been in six years, county data shows, and there are no signs it will slow down soon.

City of Everett Principal Engineer Zach Brown talks about where some of the piping will connect to the Port Gardner Storage Facility, an 8-million-gallon waste water storage facility, on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Port Gardner Storage Facility will allow Everett to meet state outflow requirements

The facility will temporarily store combined sewer and wastewater during storm events, protecting the bay from untreated releases.

Founder of Snohomish County Indivisible Naomi Dietrich speaks to those gather for the senator office rally on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Membership numbers are booming for Snohomish County’s Indivisible chapter

Snohomish County’s Indivisible chapter, a progressive action group, has seen… Continue reading

Lynnwood City Council members gather for a meeting on Monday, March 17, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood appoints last remaining candidate to council vacancy

Robert Leutwyler, a program manager at Amazon and US Army veteran, is set to be sworn in Monday.

Everett
Police allege Everett man carried out hate crime with a pipe bomb

Suspect held in alleged hate crime bombing that damaged neighbor’s car.

Lucy Knudson, left, and Tyler Pennington, right, perform in character during a full run-through of the play Eurydice at rehearsal on Monday, March 17, 2025 in Meadowdale, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Meadowdale Players selected for International Thespian Festival

The high school’s production of “Eurydice” was selected from more than 30 shows for the International Thespian Festival.

Snohomish County Council listens to George Skiles talk about his findings in an audit of the Snohomish County Executive Office on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Council approves child care ordinance

The ordinance speeds up the permit process for child care centers and allows them in more places. But there’s still more work to be done.

Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen speaks during a special meeting held to discuss annexing into South County Fire on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds mayor responds to PDC over complaint about public funds

Mayor Mike Rosen said the city did not misuse public funds by hiring a public affairs firm for the upcoming RFA ballot measure.

Snohomish County Councilmember Nate Nehring, left, speaks alongside Councilmember Jared Mead in 2023 at Western Washington University Everett. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Panel discusses county’s proposed Critical Areas Regulations ordinance

The council has yet to announce the next public hearing and when it will decide the outcome of the proposed wetlands ordinance.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.