We should be careful not to confuse the two. The strategic goal of these operations is to go in with overwhelming force, seize the target, and exit with no injuries. A clear priority in these raids is officer safety. While the image of paramilitary units knocking down the doors of citizens' houses is disturbing to most Americans, a concern for overall public safety is the reason that SWAT team members were armed with automatic weapons and clad in body armor. Members of tactical units have a legitimate fear of entering an unknown situation and being outgunned.
Wounded officers become part of the problem and risk becoming hostages themselves.
Probably not from the Miami relatives. However, groups surrounding the house had publicly stated they would form a human chain to prevent Elian from being returned to his father. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., participated in the same interview with Leahy and is also a member of the Senate's intelligence committee. He did not dispute the assertions of violent elements in the crowd surrounding the Miami home. Specter, however, suggested that the crowds could have been moved away from the home to allow a more peaceful removal.