NAACP
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger (Written but not posted in 2011)
America has been conflicted about race ever since Thomas Jefferson declared that “all men are created equal,” while he was the second largest slave owner in Virginia. Today, nearly fifty years after the Civil Rights movement won major victories in the sixties, the volume has once again been turned way up on racial issues—currently with the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.
This case brings to the forefront the subject of racial profiling as a tool in law enforcement. The controversial event began when a white Neighborhood Watch volunteer followed Mr. Martin, a black teenager, who was walking through a predominantly white gated community. It’s not yet clear that this qualifies as racial profiling, but the subject has been raised.
We have had a Neighborhood Watch program in Ocean Grove, but it is barely functioning. There has been no formal patrolling function for the NW in the Grove, so there is no danger of a Trayvon situation occurring here, at least not by our Neighborhood Watch. In addition the police do not meet with the Neighborhood Watchers to give them some kind of training. The OG Citizens Patrols drive around and call the police if they see something worrisome, but they don’t get out of their cars to follow people.
The police ask us to call if we see something suspicious: “If you see something, say something.”
If a black teenager walks into the Grove alone or with friends, with or without hoodies, people notice. Some might be tempted to watch them or even call the police on the basis that blacks are relatively unusual here, but so are Orientals, Hassids, and frat boys. Calling just because of someone’s color or clothing is profiling. The only time the police should be called is if someone, regardless of color, is acting suspicious.
But there is a flip side to this. I know some Grovers who would have to be pushed pretty hard into calling about any black person in the Grove out of fear that they might be accused of profiling. But not calling when you should is at least as bad as calling when there is no concern.
Update: Currently (2015) the Neighborhood Watch is defunct, and the NTPD has made no effort to resurrect it. It might be a good idea as an adjunct program to keep our town safe, especially with nice weather (hopefully) coming in. We have lots of kids running around town in the summer along with vulnerable tourists and seniors.
In February 2014 (see link below) we had a fascinating debate about profiling and security in Ocean Grove. The comments had 36 responses.
