Former MLB player racially profiled while shovelling his driveway

[UpaLoompa]

If only I was black this would all provide more great "evidence" for the little worldview people have been pushing the last few years thanks to Dave Chapelle and others, but the fact is its mostly just confirmation bias. Cops hassle everyone. Certain cities have cops that do it a lot more and other place they do it less, probably depends on how much crime they have and whether there are gangs around they are trying to address. Occasionally there might be goofball individual cops or stupid little towns but this whole systemic hassling of black people" claim sounds like a bunch of bullshit. Most everything people complain about has happened to me too, and I ain't black.

The fact that it has happened to you doesn't mean that it doesn't happen more often than expected by population representation and crime rates to minorities. It is odd that you point at confirmation bias when the occurrence of racial profiling and discriminatory practices by police is verifiable by numbers when you offer up... an anecdote.

For example, in LA even if you control for neighborhood crime rates and percent representation (in crime and in the local population), blacks and latinos are far, far more likely to be stopped and searched. They're also far less likely to be holding anything. That is as or more true for on foot stops. That's the case in lots of cities.
The data strongly supports the assertion that cops profile and do systematically search and "hassle" minorities. That's not confirmation bias, it is evidence.

 

[nhbbear]

The fact that it has happened to you doesn't mean that it doesn't happen more often than expected by population representation and crime rates to minorities. It is odd that you point at confirmation bias when the occurrence of racial profiling and discriminatory practices by police is verifiable by numbers when you offer up... an anecdote.

For example, in LA even if you control for neighborhood crime rates and percent representation (in crime and in the local population), blacks and latinos are far, far more likely to be stopped and searched. They're also far less likely to be holding anything. That is as or more true for on foot stops. That's the case in lots of cities.
The data strongly supports the assertion that cops profile and do systematically search and "hassle" minorities. That's not confirmation bias, it is evidence.

Just a question. What do you mean when say "control for neighborhood crime rates and % representation"?

Does that mean if you pretend that the crime rate is the same in all neighborhoods, and everyone has an equal number-that blacks and latinos still get stopped more?

I just don't know how you can separate the fact that more stops and contacts are going to be conducted in the highest crime areas. The numbers aren't even close. And those neighborhoods are exclusively minority, which=more stops on minorities.

 

[nhbfan8080]

Some of you seem to be missing the point that the cop wasn't even in the city he was a cop for.
While this certainly isn't the most egregious thing in the world, I imagine I'd be pretty insulted if a cop was implying I didn't belong in my own home. Could be worse, could be arrested for breaking into my own home.

That was the strange bit. Try to get a collar outside his jurisdiction.

 

[Madmick]

Basically the author admits he doesn't really know the definition of racial profiling, but does know that it hurt his feelings that he was questioned by this officer.

From midway through the article:

"I soon learned that West Hartford had an ordinance that prohibits door-to-door solicitation. A man, whom I allegedly resembled, had broken this ordinance. Someone in West Hartford had called the police, and a young officer believing he was doing his duty, had pursued the complaint to my street. Our block would have been the first stop for the wayward shoveler if he had entered Hartford."

He fit the description of an offender and so was questioned, this is not racial profiling. Once he told the officer that he lived there, it was clear he hadn't been soliciting anyone and so the officer went on his way. If you get a description of a black suspect you don't stop white people because that's a waste of time, it's not an indication of racial profiling.

Was the whole thing likely a waste of police resources and a dumb ordinance? Perhaps, but that is a very different matter than racial profiling.

Context ftw. I'm not being baited into getting upset.

 

[James Keith]

The fact that it has happened to you doesn't mean that it doesn't happen more often than expected by population representation and crime rates to minorities. It is odd that you point at confirmation bias when the occurrence of racial profiling and discriminatory practices by police is verifiable by numbers when you offer up... an anecdote.

A single example serves as a proof when the claim is that white people are not treated the way blacks are. Go watch Dave Chappelle again.

For example, in LA even if you control for neighborhood crime rates and percent representation (in crime and in the local population), blacks and latinos are far, far more likely to be stopped and searched. They're also far less likely to be holding anything. That is as or more true for on foot stops. That's the case in lots of cities.
The data strongly supports the assertion that cops profile and do systematically search and "hassle" minorities. That's not confirmation bias, it is evidence.

And I notice you offer up ...no numbers.

By "far more likely" do you mean over 600% more likely? Because otherwise that's some shitty profiling. In fact it should be higher still to be anything short of a decent Bayesian estimate. Otherwise perhaps your statistician just sucks at correcting for variables. How many of those stops were a result of ongoing crimes where they had a description? What were the age distributions? How were they dressed? What percentage of each race had expired tags or lights out or something? Excuse me for not trusting some journalist or academic who is almost certainly looking for a certain result.

And my experience with LA by the way, was they would pull me over for any possible excuse. That definitely falls into the category of a city with an annoying police force.

 

[nhbbear]

That was the strange bit. Try to get a collar outside his jurisdiction.

I don't think that is as big a deal as people think it is. I can't speak for all departments, but most city and state police officers are certified officers in the state in which they work. That means they can make an arrest anywhere in the state. If I chase someone or find a person I am looking for or have warrants for in a bordering city or county, I can make the arrest if it is a state warrant.

Keep in mind, this was one street over-not sure what that means in this context, but I don't think the officer was intent on making an arrest, but to either obtain information for a summons or report, or as I suggested earlier, to set the caller at ease so they do not think there is a criminal posing as someone trying to earn some extra cash. I know that in a similar situation, that is all I would want to be able to tell my citizen-yes, the guy is actually shoveling driveways and he has been advised it is against city ordinance...just something to tell them about the suspicious person in the neighborhood that has then ill at ease.

 

[Jesus H. Sherdog]

Context ftw. I'm not being baited into getting upset.

I fully understand where you're coming from, but I also feel for this young officer who very likely was just trying to do his job to the best of his ability. He received a complaint and zealously persued it. I know that racial profiling is something I would lose my job, or at the very least be suspended, for. And I am much more "entrenched" in the system than this young officer.

I definitely wasn't trying to bait or get anyone upset with my comment.

I think the greater evil in this situation is the law itself and the serious chance it is selectively reported/enforced. But any complaint will come down entirely on the officer who gets caught up in it. A perfect example of the phrase, "shit rolls down hill."

 

[ProBoxingInsidr]

racism is the one thing in america that seems to require no proof at all. if something happens bad to a black person, it is perfectly acceptable to blame it on racism and people just accept it as fact. you dont like a black guy? you are racist. black guy doesnt get the job? racism. black guy gets arrested? racism. not saying it doesnt exist, but sometimes bad shit just happens and it happens to people who just happen to be black.