From 2020: How #Target, #Google, #BankOfAmerica and #Microsoft quietly fund police through private donations
More than 25 large #corporations in the past three years have contributed funding to private #PoliceFoundations, new report says
by Kari Paul
Thu 18 Jun 2020
"The #HoustonPolice foundation has purchased for the local police department a variety of equipment, including #SWAT equipment, sound equipment and dogs for the K-9 unit, according to the report. The #PhiladelphiaPolice foundation purchased for its police force #LongGuns, #drones and #BallisticHelmets, and the #AtlantaPolice foundation helped fund a major #surveillance network of over 12,000 cameras.
"In addition to weaponry, foundation funding can also go toward specialized training and support programs that complement the department’s policing strategies, according to one police foundation.
“'Not a lot of people are aware of this public-private partnership where corporations and wealthy donors are able to siphon money into police forces with little to no oversight,' said Gin Armstrong, a senior research analyst at #LittleSis.
"A variety of companies – including financial institutions, technology companies, retailers, local universities and sports teams, provide funding to police foundations. Donations may be, in part, to curry favor with a force that exists primarily to protect property and #capital, the report said."
#CivilRights #ACAB #StopCopCity #StopCopCitiesEverywhere #DigitalFreeSpeech #CivilLiberties #CorporateColonialism #SilencingDissent #Fascism