It is my understanding that New York and Chicago have used similar methods to
those described below by Mr. Atherton in LA. My question is then, if increased
enforcement promotes safer streets (and that is an "if"), then why bother with
CODE 4 at all; why not address the problems with the appropriate resources
wherever they occur? CODE 4 is a technically separate issue from racial
profiling, but it is easy to see that "targeting resources", the mandate of CODE
4 could create serious issues when combined with racial profiling, or "targeting
ethnic groups".
As for racial profiling, the whole idea of trying to predict the behavior of
members of any particular group as an extrapolation of statistics specific to
that group is not new; marketers use these techniques in their attempt to
maximize sales efforts every day. Apparently some in law enforcement believe
the same techniques will help them maximize their law enforcement efforts. The
fact that marketers use these techniques is objectionable enough, but
essentially amounts to an annoyance as the "targeted" individual still has the
power to say no, and rights have not been violated by the marketer. In the case
of law enforcement, however, we expect to be treated as individuals, equally,
and be responsible for our own actions; if the actions associated with any
particular group we may be a part of are considered in enforcement of the law,
then it is not equal treatment as individuals, and rights are violated.
Statistics associated with whatever group we may be a part of are irrelevant and
should never be considered by law enforcement officials. Our right to equal
treatment under the law cannot be traded for "efficiency" in the police
department.
David Piehl
Central
Michael Atherton <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> on 03/17/2001 01:04:51 PM
I suppose that much of my response to the post above is mostly culture
shock. I am amazed at how caviler Minnesotians are at violating
traffic laws. Mr. Kushner and others seem to believe that violating traffic
laws is a matter of personal choice. I've seen people here drive however
they like regardless of how rude of dangerous it is to other divers. I
personally believe that Minnesota has the worst drivers in the country
and the lack of enforcement contributes to the problem.
CODEFOR or not, I received a ticket for running a red light on a
bicycle in LA, with no polite explanation about a police enforcement program.
Weapons checks are routine in L.A. regardless of your skin color
(but are dependent on your income level). Tickets for jaywalking are
common. I have yet to meet a law enforcement officer in this state
that has anything close to what is the typical "attitude" problem of
the LAPD or the LA County Sheriffs. There you are lucky if the
officers only bend the law and not break it.
It seems that what people are complaining about here is strict
enforcement of the laws. If this is done by geographic area and crime
rate, rather than race, I have no problem with it.
Mike Atherton
Prospect Park
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