Finally, some cold hard numbers -- have been compiled and documented in this latest DOJ report.
A report that lends serious credence to what most of us, already knew.
Justice report finds systematic discrimination against African-Americans in Ferguson
by Evan Perez, CNN Justice Reporter, cnn.com -- Mar 3, 2015
Washington (CNN) -- A Justice Department civil rights investigation has concluded that the Ferguson Police Department and the city's municipal court engaged in a "pattern and practice" of discrimination against African-Americans, targeting them disproportionately for traffic stops, use of force, and jail sentences, according to a U.S. law enforcement official briefed on the investigation.
[...]
Among the findings, reviewed by CNN: from 2012 to 2014, 85% of people subject to vehicle stops by Ferguson police were African-American; 90% of those who received citations were black; and 93% of people arrested were black. This while 67% of the Ferguson population is black.
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Blacks were disproportionately more likely to be cited for minor infractions: 95% of tickets for "manner of walking in roadway," essentially jaywalking, were against African-Americans. Also, 94% of all "failure to comply" charges were filed against black people.
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There's more Discrimination-dirt, in the link.
Finally, some cold hard stats, that show how some Police Depts go way "over the line" -- when it comes to being a fair-minded, equal opportunity, Enforcer of the Law.
Police Routinely Violate Rights Of Blacks in Ferguson, U.S. Says
by Matt Apuzzo, nytimes.com -- Mar 3, 2015
[...]
Many such statistics surfaced in the aftermath of Mr. Brown’s shooting, but the Justice Department report offers a more complete look at the data than ever before. Federal investigators conducted hundreds of interviews, reviewed 35,000 pages of police records and analyzed race data compiled for every police stop.
The report will most likely force Ferguson officials to either negotiate a settlement with the Justice Department or face being sued by it on charges of violating the constitution. Under Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr., the Justice Department has opened more than 20 such investigations into local police departments and issued tough findings against cities including Newark; Albuquerque, N.M.; and Cleveland.
[...]
The report calls for city officials to acknowledge that the police department’s tactics have caused widespread mistrust and violated civil rights. Ferguson officials have so far been reluctant to do so, particularly as relations between the city and Washington have grown strained.
[...]
Frankly, I think the Ferguson PD -- and others like it -- need way more than just "investigations" and "negotiated settlements."
They need some serious structural changes that roots out and removes such discriminatory behavior. No one should be an "automatic suspect" -- or a "preferred" ticket target -- simply because of their complexion.
We are supposed to be living in a Nation, and under a system of government -- where "ALL Humans are created Equal." ... and ALL are entitled to the same protections, under the Law.