A Sacramento First

For those that don't know, last week the Sacramento Bee published a story about a report that stated, "Black motorists are twice as likely to be pulled over by Sacramento police as nonblack drivers..." This of course is a prolific finding because the Police Department has for years denied these claims. In light of the report the City Council had a town hall to address the report and to get feedback from residents. Yesterday our YP President and Sacramento resident LaMark Barclay (Sport) attended and wrote an email to us about the meeting, the report and our responsibility to our city. I have posted it below for your reading pleasure.

For the complete article: http://www.sacbee.com/crime/story/1141651.html

Ashe' Young Professionals,

I was able to attend the town hall discussion yesterday (re: Racial Profiling), to my pleasant surprise. Citizens expressed their disappointment, passion, and concern over the lack of progress to curbe this troubling epedimic -- I understood the session was televised. Mayor Heather Fargo began the session with an apology to all communitites of color, specifically the black citizens of sacramento, for the findings and (argued) conclusion that black drivers have been target unfairly.

A few major concerns expressed included:
- Lack of Police Department acknowledgement that this progrem exists
- Lack of community representation within the Police Department (17.9% minorites)
- Lack of officers residing within the city limits they patrol
- Fear of police presence instead of welcome within specific neighborhoods

Laruen Hammond (District 5) dated this agendized issue beginning November '97 -- 11 years later we haven't made many strides. It was reported black drivers were two times as likely to be stopped within the city limits in comparison to the normal standard benchmark for stops. Far more than any other group identified. (I do not have all the report's specifics, just what was generally referenced).

Robert Fong (District 4) called the report's finding "unacceptable".
Ray Treathway (District 1) called this a "Civil Rights" issue. Steve Cohn (District 3) and Robbie Watters (District 7) expressed disappointment that the stopping officer's race was not reported or even considered.

The consultants hired stated the officer's race - even if captured - was not a significant factor in basing any conclusions from the findings of this report. Their professonal experience is that "officers of all races conform to the values, beliefs, and culture of the organization they serve in"; meaning a officer of color is as likely to pull over a citizen of color if that is the practiced, whether taught or observed, habits of the department.

The police chief expressed his intent to move forward to correct this issue, address the major concerns and seek community involvement for resolutions. I offered my 2 cents worth as a citizen, a young adult, and a representative of the Greater Sacramento Young Professionals organization to be a community outreach starting point. As an emerging generation, we should be inclusive of any discussion to fix the social issues affecting the neighborhoods we live and work in. We represent the poeple beign stopped all too often. (I Had my own personal expereience some month and a half ago). Mr. Shelby provided a few words also - the Urban League was in the building - holla!!

The committee, comprised of elected officials (Districts 1 - 8), the city clerk, city manager, and the mayor, adopted the report, its recommendedations, and commissioned the police chief to provide progress reports in October and January regarding the department's efforts to restore the public's confidence on this issue. The committee recomended developing performance measure to institutionalize the philosophy that racial profiling will not be tolerated within the Sacramento Police Deparment (SPD).

I left encouraged that progress was made, but that much more work was to be done. Three addtional town hall meetings are scheduled this week:

Today (8.13), 6:00 pm at the Natomas Community Center
Tomorrow (8.14), 6:00 pm at the Oak Park Community Center
Friday (8.15), 6:00 pm at the Meadowview Community Center

I'm planning on attending Friday's town hall.

I (selfishy of course) feel odd encouraging you attend tonight's town hall meeting when we have a general body meeting, but our community is imporant. Our represenation at these types of forums is important. So if you don't make the General Body meeting, I'll understand, otherwise we'd love to see you tonight at 6:00pm.

In the Movement,

Sport Barclay
President
GSUL Young Professionals

Marc Morial Welcome

Not the best picture of us with the NUL President but its not the last!

A video from the Keynote Address.