The Disproportionate Overrepresentation of Minority Youth in ...

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one-time meeting with this family, we jumped to the conclusion that mom
would not be supportive of any alternative hands-off training for this kid,
so let’s file a petition.
Race Differences in Processing
Police
In response to the closed ended questions, the majority of decision makers
strongly disagreed/disagreed (56 percent) with the statement, “White youth are picked up
less by police than black youth” (Tables 8, 9). Twenty-six percent agreed with the
statement. In response to three additional questions that focus on their perception
concerning police treatment of blacks, Native American Indians, and Hispanics, a
majority of the personnel indicate that these racial/ethnic groups are treated differently
than whites (57 percent to 61 percent answered most to sometimes). Thirty-nine percent
of those responding answered almost never to never.
In reading the interviews, juvenile justice decision makers appear to view police
officers as doing a good job. If race/ethnic differences exist, it is the result of minorities
committing more crime. The police are simply responding to where the crime exists.
I think that is probably true because when I travel through the
west side of Sioux City, you can always see a police car...
Q. What do you call it when the police watch one neighborhood
more than they watch another
A. Protection of the community...
...most things for police are pretty clear cut.