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Cops In Sleepy N.J. Towns Stockpiling Firepower

Across Crimeless Parts Of Bergen County Police Departments Are Loading Up On Assault Rifles, But Why?

RAMSEY, N.J. (CBS) ― Some New Jersey police departments are going to extremes to protect residents.

They are stockpiling assault weapons.

The increased firepower has some residents in Ramsey feeling a little uneasy.

Police in the suburban community are now stocking up on sophisticated assault weapons that are capable of firing 10 bullets per second.

"It increases our range and our accuracy," Sgt. Brian Lyman said. "It's up to the officer's discretion whether he wants it deployed or not."

More and more police departments in Bergen County say they are stockpiling on their own tactical weapons – or plan on buying them. That's what the local newspaper discovered in a recent survey. Some residents question whether sleepy communities like Ramsey – with little crime – really need these weapons.

"It's a waste of our tax money," one man told CBS 2 HD.

But others say it makes them feel more comfortable.

"I think if they think they need them, then it is good that they have them," one woman said.

The head of the National Police Defense Foundation said after the massacre at Columbine police departments started realizing they couldn't wait for the S.W.A.T. team, or for Emergency Services to bring them sophisticated rifles.

"When you have to wait, five, 10, 15 minutes … during that interim people could be dying, so who they are equipping is the local responding police officer, so he has the right equipment," said Joe Occhipinti of the NPDF.

Many departments in Bergen County are using Homeland Security grants to purchase these weapons. It's a trend that is sweeping across New Jersey.

One of the most popular weapons among the departments is the UMP, which could cost as much as $1,300.

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