So why didn't we see tear gas last night?
Couple of theories:
1) Captain Johnson is gaining more influence (despite being the highest ranking cop) among the police.
2) It's already been acknowledged by some organizers that the police are are monitoring tweets and responding to areas based on that (I'll edit this post once I can go back and find some of those tweets stating that).
That means that the police are realizing that after firing off everything short of a nuclear bomb, that people are organizing and getting ready to get gassed:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Getting trained in medical response. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ferguson?src=hash">#Ferguson</a> <a href="http://t.co/06vMc8pyAv">pic.twitter.com/06vMc8pyAv</a></p>— justified agitator (@Awkward_Duck) <a href="https://twitter.com/Awkward_Duck/statuses/501806411945242625">August 19, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>EMT & Nurse are currently training us in eye flushes and minimizing burn. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ferguson?src=hash">#Ferguson</a></p>— justified agitator (@Awkward_Duck) <a href="https://twitter.com/Awkward_Duck/statuses/501811130692403200">August 19, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Getting ready for tonight. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeGotYouBro?src=hash">#WeGotYouBro</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Feminist?src=hash">#Feminist</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ferguson?src=hash">#Ferguson</a> <a href="http://t.co/fqlEpCoUNz">pic.twitter.com/fqlEpCoUNz</a></p>— justified agitator (@Awkward_Duck) <a href="https://twitter.com/Awkward_Duck/statuses/501905971845685249">August 20, 2014</a></blockquote>
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3) All of these flashbangs, teargas, rubber bullets and what not are GETTING EXPENSIVE:
This is an expended
TRIPLE-CHASER CS GRENADE (tear gas) canister module. Notice it's made by DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY and it is PART# 1026:
In other words, it is one of these:
http://www.defense-technology.com/products.aspx?pid=1026
The Triple-Chaser® CS consists of three separate canisters pressed together with separating charges between each. When deployed, the canisters separate and land approximately 20 feet apart allowing increased area coverage in a short period of time. This grenade can be hand thrown or launched from a fired delivery system. The grenade is 6.5 in. by 2.7 in. and holds an approximately 3.2 oz. of active agent payload. It has an approximate burn time of 20-30 seconds.
More detailed info:
http://www.defense-technology.com/pdfs/specs/Triple-Chaser%20Grenade%20Rev.%207-12.pdf
How much does it cost???
Well, more than likely, the police force has a contract to obtain these items. So they probably purchase them in bulk at a reduced rate. But just to give you an idea, I found some being sold online here:
http://www.chiefsupply.com/defense-technology-triple-chaser-separating-canister-3-pyrotechnic-grenade.html
$53.99 / canister...
Now how many of these were used in just the last week???
Mind you, this is just CS Gas. Never mind the rounds of rubber bullets, the smoke grenades, flashbang grenades, gas for all of the vehicles used, etc...
Just look at the price of the CONSUMABLE ITEMS used (items that can only be used once and have to be replaced)....
$$$$$$
Hopefully, that is forcing a change in approach. We'll see though...
