Updated with State Police info.
Matt Marra walked out of his dentist's office in Davis Square around 10:45 a.m. and right into a scene out of The Town - except this time the good guys won: A squadron of cops in armor taking down two guys they seemed to have known would be coming out of the Rockland Trust branch:
There was unmarked white van that the team poured out of right outside the bank as soon as guys came out.
State Police report the duo were already under surveillance by the FBI's Bank Robbery Task Force, which includes officers from federal, state and local police agencies - which is why there was a van full of armored police ready to spring on them right outside the bank.
Marra also captured one of the suspects being led away:
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Comments
I think you answered your own questions....
By Pete Nice
Thu, 09/25/2014 - 1:03pm
I'm not a swat guy but......
1. Being difficult to see is the point, you take the risk of getting hit by a car, or shot at by the robbers, or many other risks.
2. They are supposed to announce who they are, and many home invasions start with criminals dressed up as cops. And if you are robbing a bank and you see guys with machine guns wearing anything near you, you are going to know exactly who they are.
Entry warrant teams don't wear this gear, so you won't find these type of swat teams going into houses or stores.
3. If they are shot at, the urban camo that they are using here may help them a little. Maybe not a whole lot, but enough to negate those who question what they are wearing. Swat teams depend on surprise and intelligence, and most stings like this aren't supposed to last long, unlike a barricaded subject or active shooter where plans could change at any second. So no, they aren't going to be worried about armed Somerville residents who might shoot at them mistaking them for terrorists.
I love it that your face is
By lbb
Thu, 09/25/2014 - 12:51pm
I love it that your face is raw. Keep it up, Swirly, he'll be bleeding soon.
Ironic given that you're probably the type who goes about accusing others of being thin-skinned!
What does being thick, or
By tcf098
Thu, 09/25/2014 - 12:54pm
What does being thick, or thin skinned have anything to do with what is transpiring on this post? I'm not taking any offense to anything that's being said.
If anything, I'm mostly embarrassed for some people continue to speak on a subject that is foreign to them.
It's like listening to Arnold Schwarzenegger give a lecture on quantum physics.
Go be afraid somewhere
By SwirlyGrrl
Thu, 09/25/2014 - 1:43pm
Very Afraid. Watch your TV, hide under your bed in your cammo blanket, and keep praying for salvation from multiple types of bogeymen by heavily armed super heroes!
The rest of us will continue to live our lives rationally, without undue fear of what we see in the enternewsment feed, and continue to ask questions and demand accountability of publicly funded institutions.
Which is what our country's founders had in mind.
Wait, what? Afraid of what
By tcf098
Thu, 09/25/2014 - 2:16pm
Wait, what? Afraid of what exactly? If I'm not mistaken, you were the one clutching your pearls after seeing big bad policemen dressed in camouflage.
You've apparently got me nailed down to a point, Swirly. About just as much as I have you figured as misguided, ignorant cityfolk. Guess it works both ways...
And there you go with the founding fathers thing, as if you think it'll insult me because of your misguided perception that I'm some right-wing zealot who walks around draped in the American flag.
(For what it's worth – which I realize isn't much – I guarantee I understand far more than you about our country's early history and the thoughts and sentiment of our founding fathers)
But swirly.....
By Pete Nice
Thu, 09/25/2014 - 2:05pm
You just mentioned a bunch of examples of swat teams doing damage, which would be just as rare as the things you accuse tc of being scared of, and those are instances that you yourself saw on the entertainment grapevines right?
Your questions are valid though, and are necessary. One of the recommendations of swat teams in the future is to have outside agencies monitor,coach, and review swat strategies. You might not be qualified to do so, but the sociology department at Harvard might.
Those events are not rare anymore
By SwirlyGrrl
Thu, 09/25/2014 - 2:12pm
They are also not something to be afraid of, but they are something to be questioned and controlled.
Let's face it - in the US in 2014, Ebola and ISIS are far less likely to harm you than a militarized police force conducting a raid on your home or business.
Still pretty rare....
By Pete Nice
Thu, 09/25/2014 - 2:24pm
But these events make the news. And I'm not afraid of Isis or Ebola either, but I do think that it is very rare for an innocent person (who follows the lawful or unlawful commands of a police officer) with no warrants to get harmed by the police.
Wouldn't you say your odds of dying from hepatitis b is greater than getting killed by the cops?
Ebola and ISIS
By Leaning Libertarian
Thu, 09/25/2014 - 3:12pm
<<>>>
Unfortunately, one small win by terrorists in our subways, offices, malls, etc., will quickly change this stat. See Spanish train bombing, World Trade Center, Tokyo Sarin gas, etc.
Police raids (and shooting of unarmed drivers) are indeed out of control, but they don't even nearly stack up to what ISIS would like to do next week.
Aren't you a little old to be
By gotdatwmd
Thu, 09/25/2014 - 2:25pm
Aren't you a little old to be doing this tired college student who just read his first Burroughs novel "wake up sheeple" nonsense?
Simplistic much?
By whyaduck
Thu, 09/25/2014 - 1:28pm
Now tcf098, I understand how you find all politics, politicians, political parties silly (Heck, I know I personally found Reagan to be a laugh a minute!) but, seriously, there is no reason why a town's cops have to wear camo with all the accoutrements to apprehend two bank robbers? In fact, I dare say, before local police forces dressed like they had bit parts in a Rambo movie, police offers wore blue and I am pretty sure they did fine with the apprehending of criminals.
You seem to be a person who likes to hear himself/herself write and might even think himself/herself a bit clever at times? Good for you! But I am finding your posts a bit, well, silly.
And, for the record, I am not a uber anything- radical, liberal, conservative - or anything with an "ist" at the end, just an independent thinker like yourself.
Hah!
By Michael Kerpan
Thu, 09/25/2014 - 1:39pm
> And, for the record, I am not a uber anything- radical, liberal,
> conservative - or anything with an "ist" at the end
Given your nom de screen, you are clearly a (Groucho) Marxist!
Correct! All city police
By tcf098
Thu, 09/25/2014 - 1:45pm
Correct! All city police should go back to 1950's Normal Rockwell stereotypes, and drink coffee in quaint little diners, with their trusty 6-shooter pistol hanging from their hips.
It's 2014. Times change. So does attire.
Sentiment understood - example, not so much.
By issacg
Thu, 09/25/2014 - 2:24pm
While I think that I might agree with the sentiment you are seeking to express, I have to comment on the example.
The painting you seem to be referencing is Rockwell's famous "The Runaway" featuring a Mass. State Trooper (who recently died).
The bitch of it is (for your comment) that the State Police uniform (that is the winter uniform in the painting, worn from October 15 - April 15) is substantially identical now to what it was then.
That same uniform.....
By Pete Nice
Thu, 09/25/2014 - 2:26pm
Was in order to emulate the German soldier uniform(pre nazi) ironically.
Great job
By anon
Thu, 09/25/2014 - 12:31pm
No problem with the scary guns
No problem with SWAT waiting for the take down
I do question the need for the obvious militarization of our civilian L.E. In this case, as an example, there's zero need for the camo. They're should be a clear demarcation between civilian L.E. and military. I question even the need for things like black suburbans and SUVs with tinted windows which many L.E. agencies have. This all gives the appearance of the Stasi or Gestapo.
Disclaimer: I am not a 'moonbat' by any stretch, not anti-cop, not anti 'scary' guns, etc.
Target hardening....
By Pete Nice
Thu, 09/25/2014 - 2:11pm
Large SUVs are for storing equipment, animals and people, and the tint is there so bad guys won't approach them if they see one parked somewhere. They are also used in motorcades to confuse which security personnel is where.
The SUV's should be welcomed.
By mdecast
Thu, 09/25/2014 - 8:13pm
The SUV's should be welcomed. Police chases will become a thing of the past as SUV's do not handle quick turns all that well at high speeds.
SWAT teams in the urban environment
By pesky62235
Thu, 09/25/2014 - 1:03pm
From the photos and witness accounts here and on Twitter, it sounds like the Bank Robbery Task Force probably had these guys under surveillance and were waiting to take them down. Since the North Hollywood Shootout in 1997 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Hollywood_shootout), it's pretty common to have a tactical team make the arrest. When dealing with suspects who have planned a violent crime in advance, it's best not to take chances on having the right protective gear and equipment on hand.
As far as the camouflage goes, it looks like that's the State Police STOP team, so they're not assigned solely to urban areas. I would bet that they have one uniform, and they chose camo because it is useful when they are operating in rural situations. It doesn't detract from their performance in the city, so they don't really care what it looks like there. Most city SWAT teams (such as Boston) use black or navy BDUs. For identification purposes, they probably hope that the large "STATE POLICE" patch, badge, and shouts of "POLICE" let people know that they're law enforcement.
Summary
By Suldog
Thu, 09/25/2014 - 1:02pm
Cops capture evil men who robbed bank.
Some people here are upset at what they wore while doing so.
It's conversations like this that make surfing the internet worthwhile. Please go on.
Suldog
http://jimsuldog.blogspot.com
Not so much upset...
By whyaduck
Thu, 09/25/2014 - 1:33pm
Just wondering why they need to look like they are going to jump on the next plan to Afghanistan.
You're right
By Tim
Thu, 09/25/2014 - 1:40pm
The cops did a great job. That's the most important point. I certainly wouldn't have been able to fly out of a van and take down bank robbers.
But, with the increasing militarization of our police forces and what it means in society, with many thousands of unnecessary aggressive swat raids every year resulting in destruction of property, terrorized or dead innocent people or babies with faces half blown off, with the amount of family pets killed by cops, homeless people shot or beaten to death by cops, with police departments running around in armored vehicles and dressing like soldiers, people feel it’s important to point out that although they were police officers they were dressed like military soldiers.
I Understand, But...
By Suldog
Thu, 09/25/2014 - 6:03pm
Would it make a difference if the police who do perpetrate heinous crimes were dressed in jeans and sweatshirts? How about business suits? Crimes have been committed by police while wearing both; I guarantee that. Me, I'd rather the police be dressed to stand out from the crowd. Camouflage in a city setting does that rather effectively.
To be clear, as a libertarian fellow, I've always considered the police somewhat equivalent to military. I don't necessarily say that as a condemnation; I'm glad we have a military and I'm glad we have a police force and I consider those things to be what the government should provide for us. And I prefer that they have regulations, have rank to which we may appeal bad behavior of a low-level member, etc., and perhaps that's why seeing them dressed militarily didn't even make me blink. They are, after all, men with guns whose aim is to maintain an orderly state. How they dress while doing so matters little in changing my opinion of their usefulness or sometime fearsomeness.
Suldog
http://jimsuldog.blogspot.com
To add Suldog....
By Pete Nice
Thu, 09/25/2014 - 6:24pm
Well first off, many studies have shown that people's attitudes towards the police have to do with their own experiences. You could have the cops giving out ice cream cones to improvised kids, and people like Swirrly would make some sort of snide negative remark about the situation. So comments about what they wear aren't going to carry much weight for those in charge, ( including the politicians who usually vote for this equipment)
But it shouldn't be the equipment that scares people, it should be the training the officers have with that equipment. If you have budget x for entry teams, and find out that you can get a fedeapral grant for the equipment, that means you can spend more on training.
Training, training, training is what should he issue should be here.
re:" Improvised kids"
By Belmont
Thu, 09/25/2014 - 8:18pm
I know you meant "impoverished" but that was funny anyway.
Good Job SWAT Guys! Thank You!
By Joey
Thu, 09/25/2014 - 1:51pm
Excellent work! Obviously an informant helped out. Please Next time though contact swirlygirl and get the wardrobe of the day OK from her. What a loser Swirlybird!
rhymes with "anon"
By SwirlyGrrl
Thu, 09/25/2014 - 2:09pm
Yawn.
Thanks for your valuable post
By anon
Thu, 09/25/2014 - 2:44pm
Thanks for your valuable post. Don't forget to send the wardrobe consultation memo to the rest of the community!
a whole new level
By cybah
Thu, 09/25/2014 - 1:56pm
This whole thread has gone to a whole new level. Who knew people were so fashion conscious here on Uhub.
Those pants? With those shoes? I think not.
/sarcasm
I literally LOL'd at that one
By tcf098
Thu, 09/25/2014 - 2:12pm
I literally LOL'd at that one.
Some of those cops seem to be wearing Merrills for Christ's sake!! WTF, do they think they're hiking in Vermont? It's the city streets! An urban environment! They should be wearing black sneakers!
Holy...
By Sources Say
Thu, 09/25/2014 - 3:50pm
I fail to check in with UHub for a few hours and suddenly it turned into the Fashion Police. Joan Rivers would be proud, I think.
about camouflage
By Leaning Libertarian
Thu, 09/25/2014 - 3:07pm
Former Army officer here. Those of you who haven't spent much time carefully observing things in the woods would be amazed how well camouflage works. That said, I don't have much experience with police work (Mostly watching COPS), and I always thought cops in cammo looked a bit silly. . However, here's another way to look at it.
Color aside, battle dress uniforms (BDU, I think they have a new name since 9/11) are also very rugged clothes. Lots of pockets. You don't mind staining or spilling things on them. Or kneeling on wet ground or laying in mud. You don't pin name plates or badges on them (they may use iron-on patches instead), so you don't get stuck by the pin or lose the magnetic backing when things get rambunctious. The cloth is a bit on the thick side, so it's a bit of padding if lying on the ground or climbing a fence. Did I mention the size of the pockets?
Compared to the normal polyester "business casual" type clothes that most police officers wear, I can see why someone who EXPECTS to be crawling, climbing, wading, etc., (e.g., SWAT) would want the utility of BDUs. And while I agree the green cammo pattern looks a bit silly down-town, black looks really aggressive too, and what other color would really work better? And be readily available in so many sizes? I don't know.
Just food for thought. Maybe we can rationally consider what cops have to go through when they are really called upon to address bad guys. Can you IMAGINE coming face to face with a dangerous bank-robber? Or an unpredictable drunk? Or a guy waving a knife, who maybe crazy, may be harmless, or may want to kill you? I can't...
And by the way, I also agree with a lot of criticisms of Police expressed here, and I think we need to think hard about their power and how they use it. Even when helmted/cammo police are giving the right message, and when polyester is more appropriate. I just hate to see people who really don't know a lot about the topic (uniforms) spewing so much ignorant hatred.
/rant
Is it wrong
By ElizaLeila
Thu, 09/25/2014 - 5:51pm
That I want to point out the difficulty of seeing the forest for the trees?
*ba dum tissshhhhh*
Thank you! I'll be here all week. Try the veal. Don't forget to tip your waitstaff.
FBI Needs better camo
By Dave
Thu, 09/25/2014 - 6:10pm
[img]http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n9oGaRMsiC4/Txru5lSXqWI/...
Dumb criminals
By Eighthman
Thu, 09/25/2014 - 8:29pm
The pizza wasn't going to be available until 4:00.
https://mobile.twitter.com/RocklandTrust
Fashion Week??
By KarenRice
Fri, 09/26/2014 - 5:37am
When I first heard the story I was quite impressed with the police for their investigation---they not only caught the suspects but were actually waiting for them; that in itself is top notch work.
Then I read comments that focus on what.they.were.wearing. Oh my God.
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