Minorities fare worse in traffic stops

This article:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070429/ap_on_re_us/traffic_stops

...explains that a new federal study has found that, "Black, Hispanic and white drivers are equally likely to be pulled over by police, but blacks and Hispanics are much more likely to be searched and arrested, a federal study found.” As well, "Police were much more likely to threaten or use force against blacks and Hispanics than against whites in any encounter, whether at a traffic stop or elsewhere, according to the Justice Department."

Well, why might this be the case?

This never seems to be the honest discussion people want to have, satisfied instead with accepting the equation of race + poverty = crime, which of course is an insult to those who are non-white and poor, and manage to make their way in society and up the social ladder without resorting to criminal behavior. By accepting this theory, it of course allows one to avoid the uncomfortable position of judging others, and taking the blame instead.

The report also speculates that the racial disparities uncovered "do not constitute proof that police treat people differently along demographic lines" because the differences could be explained by circumstances not analyzed by the survey. The 2002 report said such circumstances might include driver conduct or whether drugs were in plain view.

Well, if it's not racism and prejudice that primarily explains the disparities, then where else can we turn for causal explanations? What about, say, behavior, and bad choices, and the dysfunctional and violent thug culture that produces them?

I'm sure I'm being too judgmental in suggesting it, and ultimately I've got to realize that I'm probably to blame as a member of the dominant white culture that has oppressed others for so long.

I'll offer up a very recent blog entry by the BPD to the mix:

Daily Incidents For April 29, 2007Firearm Recovered During Traffic Stop

At 10:30pm, members from the Youth Violence Strike Force were on patrol in the Woodrow Ave area conducted a motor vehicle stop. Further investigation revealed the registration was canceled. The operator provided police with a driver’s license and a car rental agreement. The rental agreement showed that the vehicle was due to be returned on the 21st of April. Officers requested both occupants to exit the vehicle, as the vehicle was not allowed on the road due to a canceled registration. During and inventory search of the vehicle officers discovered a sock with a firearm protruding through a hole in the sock located in the pocket of the passenger seat. Jhett Ezedi, 23, of Hyde Park and Deshawn Parris, 24 of Dorchester were arrested and charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Unlawful Possession of Ammunition. Officers did recover a loaded firearm. Mr Ezedi will also be charged with Operating Unregistered Motor Vehicle.