If anyone is basing security strictly or even mostly on basis of race, they are incompetent. On the other hand, it would be equally as incompetent to completely ignore profiling as a tool (race, country of origin, language, age, weight, nervousness, fake glasses, facial hair, tattoos, others in party, fingernails, cost and newness of clothing.)
Do I think NYC police have the temperment, training and experience to do this perfectly. Not at all. But to ignore good diagnostic information because it is "politically incorrect" dosn't make much sense to me.
Jerry Johnson
>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 07/21/04 12:47PM >>>
Soon after 9/11, Bloomberg Radio had a guest on. I wish I could remember
his name but essentially he compiled some data and his conclusion was this.
He wasn't against racial profiling on the basis that it infringes upon some
rights but that it wasn't the most effective tool. Security guards
concentrate too much of race and fail to key on more pertinent clues like a
gun sticking out of someone's bag. He also mentioned that there may be a
drawback of becoming to predictable. IE, a terrorist org creates a
diversion with someone that fits the classic profile while the true threat
slips by in the commotion. He didn't have any data to back up, but it's
not the most ludicrous idea I've heard.
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