The lawyer (and former LR cop) who brought the successful racial profiling case against Alexander police told a state panel yesterday that racial profiling is a statewide problem.
No doubt.
Our Spanish-language newspaper hears repeated complaint from all over the state about local cops’ use of profiling as a municipal money-raising tool. In a small Delta town with a handful of immigrants, for example, you can imagine how quickly cops come to know local residents and know that a Hispanic driver is likely undocumented and thus without a driver’s license. Quick ticket, quick fine. I know — no license, don’t drive. But suppose your regular driver is sick and the only safety net for your family is that job at the chicken plant? You drive and take your chances.
And let’s not forget the folks guilty of driving while black while we’re at it. This is something Arkansas, among other states, really needs to get under control.
