In response to the complaints about lack of effective policing in Phillips (where I live, one block off Franklin) I am inclined to investigate other reasons than those proffered. Judging by the drastic decline in police stops from January 2001 to February 2001, (about 5,000 less) I'd say that some officers are clearly afraid of being pegged as racist. Recall that reporting began in February, in an effort to pinpoint racial profiling. Now profiling is a delicate issue, and I'm not purporting to have the answers. What I DO know is that if officers are afraid of harsh judgment on their stops, they simply won't make the stops. Job security will be found in turning a blind eye to crime, unless it's being committed by a white male, preferably in an SUV. This is at least as grave an issue as is racial profiling itself - because it means that residents of the most vulnerable areas (often mostly minority themselves) may be left without the protection their tax dollars help pay for. Connie Sheppard Ward 6 - Ventura Village __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Auctions - Buy the things you want at great prices. http://auctions.yahoo.com/ _______________________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
