Low Level Policing
The ACLU has had the New York Mayor Deblasio ear when it comes low level policing. It is now said that low level policing is a thing of the past in comparison to recent history when "broken window" or aggressive low level policing was the norm.
The police union's believe that recent incidents and Mayor's policies directly contributed to the recently killing of two officers by a disturbed individual.
Mayor Deblasio had a significant number of officers turn their backs when he spoke at a memorial service and he was booed at a police academy graduation ceremony. The demonstrations after the death and video Eric Garner has exposed a very deep rift in several communities.
Low level policing might include arrests for possession of a small amount of marijuana, vagrancy, disorderly conduct, curfew violations, or loitering. In New York it might also include riding your bicycle on the sidewalk or drinking in public. The New York ACLU has studies that show that almost 85% of those arrested for low level violations were black or Latino.
In Minneapolis Blacks and Latinos were also much more likely to be arrested for minor violations. And you wonder why communities that are predominantly Black or Latino might lose it occasionally when these policing tactics go awry.
The issues involved in law enforcement and how they affect crime, punishment and justice need continual policy reviews and less political confrontation.
Police officers giving out gift certificates to Walmart during the holidays during "traffic stops" might make people feel good, but doesn't solve the larger issues in neighborhoods where poverty is the rule and is spreading to the suburbs.
The police union's believe that recent incidents and Mayor's policies directly contributed to the recently killing of two officers by a disturbed individual.
Mayor Deblasio had a significant number of officers turn their backs when he spoke at a memorial service and he was booed at a police academy graduation ceremony. The demonstrations after the death and video Eric Garner has exposed a very deep rift in several communities.
Low level policing might include arrests for possession of a small amount of marijuana, vagrancy, disorderly conduct, curfew violations, or loitering. In New York it might also include riding your bicycle on the sidewalk or drinking in public. The New York ACLU has studies that show that almost 85% of those arrested for low level violations were black or Latino.
In Minneapolis Blacks and Latinos were also much more likely to be arrested for minor violations. And you wonder why communities that are predominantly Black or Latino might lose it occasionally when these policing tactics go awry.
The issues involved in law enforcement and how they affect crime, punishment and justice need continual policy reviews and less political confrontation.
Police officers giving out gift certificates to Walmart during the holidays during "traffic stops" might make people feel good, but doesn't solve the larger issues in neighborhoods where poverty is the rule and is spreading to the suburbs.
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