More proof that racism does not exist in America today.

[Kidlicious]

I don't have a problem with women being protected. I have a problem with innocent men and black men in particular being jailed in order to protect women while women walk free for committing crimes or they are never arrested.t

[molly bloom]

That's the main reason it might not have happened if they were white men. Of course, we can expect naïve people like MrFun to ignore the dangers of child trafficking and immediately jump to snap judgments about the officers involved.

They would have to be seriously stupid and naive child traffickers to be transporting only one child in the company of two adults conspicuously not of the same ethnicity, in a state and country with a history of institutionalized racism.

[Ben Kenobi]

I thought it was HIS position that black people should be regarded as more suspicious because they're black?

My position is that profiles should be based on actual crime statistics. Men are more likely to commit crimes than women, younger people rather than older people and yes, black people more likely than others.

Profiles should profile people in accordance with crimes committed, not with percentage of the population. Thus, people who are men, younger and black will see more scrutiny than your 79 year old French Nun.

[molly bloom]

It's true that black people are far more likely to commit crimes at least in America.

One might say the same of the poor.

[Ben Kenobi]

I have a problem with innocent men and black men in particular in order to protect women while women walk free for committing crimes or they are never arrested.

Actually the statistics show that the most common victim of crimes committed by men are other men, not women. Ergo, profiling men will protect men more than it protects women.

[MikeH]

One might say the same of the poor.

yeah, that's what I meant by my "and poverty" comment. I couldn't be bothered to explain it to him though so I didn't expand.

[Ben Kenobi]

One might say the same of the poor.

Like I said, I've been profiled too. It's in the profile and yes, cops will give more scrutiny to the rustbucket than the Lexus. It's got nothing to do with hating the poor, but because poor people are more likely to commit crimes, and to live in areas where crime is common. I'm convinced that poor people tend to see more scrutiny simply because of where they live, all else being equal.

This btw, is the far highest indicator of police activity and presence than any of these other factors. Where you live, what block you grew up on is the biggest indicator of criminal activity in America.

[molly bloom]

Studies in NYC show the opposite, that with profiling has seen a dramatic drop in the number of crimes committed when they adjusted their ratios to the proportion of crimes committed. .

Evidence required to back this up.

[molly bloom]

Like I said, I've been profiled too. It's in the profile and yes, cops will give more scrutiny to the rustbucket than the Lexus.

Really ? Squad cars are on constant alert for white Canadians in Texas ?

I think not.

[molly bloom]

My position is that profiles should be based on actual crime statistics..

None of which you've seen fit to quote. Well, that is a surprise.

[MikeH]

Evidence required to back this up.

As it might be of interest to you - regardless of what thingummy says.

Is it was part of a load of other measures, including zero tolerance, as a whole they reduced crime rates but the profiling bit is seen as having been broadly negative now there is enough distance to evaluate. It's certainly not possible to attribute the crime rate to profiling alone.

e.g.

http://www.livescience.com/38852-was-broken-windows-crime-policy-success.html

[kentonio]

Treat racial or socio-economic groups as suspects and over time they lose faith in law enforcement and society.

[Ben Kenobi]

Evidence required to back this up.

Yet you demand no evidence from MikeH to prove his statement? Odd that. And yes, I was profiled. Worst place for cop interaction was when I drove a Mustang beater in the hood in Prince George. Worst neighbourhood in the entire city. Multiple crack shacks several houses down.

[MikeH]

Treat racial or socio-economic groups as suspects and over time they lose faith in law enforcement and society.

Wish I'd said that.

[Ben Kenobi]

including zero tolerance, as a whole they reduced crime rates but the profiling bit is seen as having been broadly negative

So perception trumps the facts? Odd that. Thanks for showing that I was correct, MikeH. Yes, some people are going to be upset when cops profile criminals.