Page 7 - Florida Sentinel 2-2-16

Opinions
Readers Comment On Seatbelt Ticketing Of Black Drivers
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Last week, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) released a report about the fre- quency in which Black drivers are cited for seatbelt viola- tions. The report said Blacks are stopped and ticketed nearly twice as often as whites.
Some Tampa drivers com- mented on the facts revealed in the report.
Danny Green said, “I’m not surprised about this re- port. I think the states need to keep better records and track- ing who they give tickets too. They think when they stop Black people they have a 50/50 chance of that person having a warrant. I think they should have to have another reason to stop them other than the seatbelt violation. That law just gives police a reason to stop Blacks.”
Rev. Karen J. Sims said, “There is absolutely no way that this news comes as any surprise to any Black driver. It’s about time that they caught
FYI
up to what we’ve been saying for years.”
James Ransom said, “Dr. (Martin Luther) King was quoted as saying, ‘Injus- tice anywhere is a threat to jus- tice everywhere.’
“Based upon a published statement made by Howard Simon, Executive Director of the ACLU and ACLU findings, there has been a widespread failure of certain law enforce- ment agencies, to comply with the Florida Safety Belt Law.
“‘We cannot have a law that requires the reporting of the race of ticket recipients and has no consequences for the agencies that fail to comply,’ said Simon. He pointed to the Miami police as among those whose information is missing from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles annual reports. The Miami Police Department failed to report data to the state in 2005, 2009, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
“In response to an ACLU public records request, the de- partment said it has “no record pertaining to annual reports on Seatbelt Violation Collec- tion Data” for several of those years. As a result, the ACLU has requested the Florida Leg- islature to penalize police agencies that fail to comply with the data reporting re- quirement. It also recom- mended that police departments collect and ana- lyze data for all traffic and
pedestrian stops, offer anti- bias training to officers, and retrain officers whose ticketing practices suggest racial profil- ing.
“With these facts, it is easy for anyone who believes in jus- tice and fairness under the law should stand up against injus- tice and unfairness anywhere and everywhere.”
Dr. Samuel Wright, Sr.,
said, “It is what it is! There are disparities on many fronts when people of African decent are involved. Thus, we must remain vigilant, register voters and advocate for social change. We can't afford to be silent, comfortable nor complacent. I am grateful for every organiza- tion that tracks inequities in this country and address them. Those are all initiatives we must support with our time, resources and talents!”
Ross Anderson said, “I'm not surprised, but at the
ROSS ANDERSON
same time concerned with the simple fact that it took the ACLU to raise the red flag.
“As a community we have to STAND TOGETHER and voice our concerns in our com- munity when it comes to equal opportunity for jobs, educa- tion, and housing. It's the seat- belt now and next it will be back to the window tint of our cars. These things will con- tinue to happen as long as we are divided in sub-community within a community. When so- cial injustice is done to one,it is done to ALL! It may be me today, but you or a family member tomorrow!”
Ronnie Moorer said, “Although this is a serious matter, it doesn't surprise me. We have more than often been the target of being ticketed or just stopped for speeding, seat- belts or any other traffic inci- dents. I have been stopped just
RONNIE MOORER
for looking at a police sitting in his parked car, while driving many years ago. Then on the other hand, many police offi- cers have helped me in the past and treated me very nice. There is an injustice in the system towards Blacks. They know it, and we all know it. I just hope and pray that this will end soon.”
said, “America has a problem that it does not readily want to
admit.”
Ralph
Smith
Falkenburg Road To Be Closed
North Falkenburg Road in Brandon will be closed in both directions between East Columbus Drive and East Broadway Avenue beginning at 7 a.m. Monday, Feb. 1 for railroad repairs by CSX. The road is expected to reopen by 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8, weather permitting.
Traffic will be detoured to Lakewood Drive or U. S. Highway 301 during this period. Barricades and signs will direct traffic. Drivers should use caution when traveling in the area.
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