tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648025887105945618.post6391621253201274631..comments2024-03-01T11:21:28.582-05:00Comments on Data-Driven Viewpoints: New Data Exposes Racial Bias in Fatal Police Encounters NationwideBrian T. Lynch, MSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14639147301063129077noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648025887105945618.post-14274351776926073182016-07-31T08:37:53.785-04:002016-07-31T08:37:53.785-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648025887105945618.post-15880450708969581042015-04-22T09:31:47.430-04:002015-04-22T09:31:47.430-04:00Do you also believe African-Americans are more lik...Do you also believe African-Americans are more likely to use illegal drugs than White-Americans? Most folks believe this and they can point to solid crime statistics that totally support their view. They can even point to the frequency of media accounts about Black people being arrested for drug related crimes, or essays on the drug culture in inner cities to support their belief. <br />The truth is that the actual incidents of illegal drug use among the two races is nearly identical with White people being slightly more likely to abuse drugs (because they have more money to buy drugs? Just wondering!). Crime statistics are a more sensitive measure of how laws are being enforced than of how laws are being broken.<br /><br />It makes perfect sense if you think about it. Not all crime involves a definite victim. Most arrests are for victimless crimes such as drug use, possession, intent to distribute, to name a few examples. By its nature a victimless crime gives law enforcement authorities discretion in how and where to enforce the law. There is no victim demanding justice. Local authorities get to decide who they arrest and who they give a warning (called a "street side correction" ). Law enforcement agencies get to say what neighborhood they target for enforcement and what neighborhood they leave alone. Local police can arrest small time dealers all day long without busting the municipal budge while ignoring major distributors either because the pursuit is too expensive or because these guys have some political connections. The almost have of the people in prison are there for small time, non-violent drug offenses. <br /><br />If Blacks do die in car accidents at twice the rate of Whites (I've not seen that statistic before) you have to ask further questions to understand why that might be true. Is it because more Blacks live in urban areas were car accidents are more frequent? Is it related to the age and types of cars they drive? Is it related to the availability of good quality health care and access to trauma centers? <br /><br />And I believe heavy-handed policing has just the same impact on Whites and Asians as on any other group if the condition persists long enough. One significant example is the rise of the IRA (Irish Republican Army) and terrorism in Ireland after decades of oppression and harsh street justice by the Black and Tans and the RIC (an Irish domestic police force established by Great Britain with specific authority to punish lawbreakers on the spot). So yes, police go where they are needed but the needs they meet are the needs of those with power over the police and the communities they patrol<br />Brian T. Lynch, MSWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14639147301063129077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2648025887105945618.post-29010391517232277132015-04-21T01:47:27.326-04:002015-04-21T01:47:27.326-04:00Blacks die in car accidents at a rate about twice ...Blacks die in car accidents at a rate about twice their share in population. Those who die are more likely to have prior moving violations. Blacks are 31% more likely than whites to be pulled over. Is it racial bias or are blacks simply out of control? The black crime stats speak for themselves. Consider that blacks are bringing this on themselves. <br /><br />I don't care how heavy-handed you get with policing whites and Asians, you will not find near the level of crime, disrespect, and violence that you do in black (and brown) "communities." Police go where they are needed. jamesantonhakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09620244273619638658noreply@blogger.com