Racial profiling law passes in Connecticut
By the CNN Wire Staff
(CNN) - A few months after four East Haven police officers were arrested for allegedly targeting and harassing Latinos, Connecticut's state legislature passed a bill Monday to beef up safeguards against racial profiling.
Titled "An Act Concerning Traffic Stop Information," SB 364 mandates that local and state law enforcement agencies adopt their own "written policy that prohibits the stopping, detention or search of any person when such action is solely motivated by considerations of race, color, ethnicity, age, gender or sexual orientation, and the action would constitute a violation of the civil rights of the person."
In addition, the legislation sets up reporting requirements for police whenever they conduct traffic stop, as well as a system for citizen complaints or for state authorities to collect and assess pertinent data from municipal departments.
Initially passed by the state Senate on April 19, the legislation made it through the House of Representatives on Monday and is now expected to be signed by Gov. Dannel Malloy.
"I will continue to insist that every effort is taken to protect individual rights in every community and that racial profiling is eliminated," Malloy said Monday in a statement. "This is a real problem that deserves a real solution, and my administration is committed to carrying out the spirit and letter of this law."
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Lets face it, a police officer CAN find a reason to make a traffic stop. Everyone has "slid" through a stop sign, made an illegal u-turn, have something wrong with their vehicle(bad tires,broken lights,etc) If I was a law enforement officer, I WILL FIND A REASON TO STOP YOU!
Does that mean mexicans can't profile us for economic genocide as well?
Why doesn't Obama do what Reagan did?, (in 1986, Reagan granted amnesty to 3 million illegal immigrants) Er uh, wait. Why doesn't Obama do what George W. Bush did?, (Obama Is On Pace To Deport More Illegal Immigrants Through His First Term Than Bush Did In His Entire Presidency: Under Obama: 1.06 million have been deported, Under Bush: (8 years), 1.57 million. hmmm? I never hear conservatives mention this.
That's because they KNOW that their border-state "base" is so narrow-minded and would probably vote FOR Obama on that issue alone!
So from now on if there is a serial killer, it is illegal to assume its a white guy, even though that is the best immediate lead? Chances are pretty damn good a terrorist will look middle eastern. Racial profiling can actually lead to stopping crime. But you cannot use that as your ENTIRE prosecution that would be racist. Sure it seems bad, but if it leads to the proper arrests and not racism then I see nothing wrong with racial profiling. Or is this simply to protect illegals? I have a strong feeling no white serial killer could ever use this defense, since racial laws never seem to apply there do they? US home of the double standard.
Perhaps white drivers with southern tags should be profiled for possibly carrying meth(76% of all rehab cases). It would certainly lead to more meth arrest as it's largely a drug popular with whites, and especially southern whites. After all, a black guy in an old car must be carrying weed right? And a car full of Hispanics must have snuck across the border. There's your double standard.
Excellent example of the accepted double standard of law enforcement and who is actually committing what kinds of crime on average. bottom line, is we have to put civil rights of our citizens above the rest. Our freedom is more important than a false sense of security. Before glasnost, security was being provided by tracking where everyone went in russia. NO privacy at all. The thinking was if you have nothing to hide then you don't mind if we peek. Well peeking became monitoring and boom all citizens on lockdown by the government. No thanks.
Why is a white guy the most possible suspect?
Because they have a higher instance of use. 20 to 1 if we go by arrest.
What reason do this nation have to fight a war against terrorist, Spend billions of our dollars, yet let anyone come into this nation? All citizens should be recognizable. The terrorist know that they can come right in. Where are the intelligent people?
Anyone know what happens if an illegal resident gets hired by a company and then gets hurt on the job? Hurt could be anywhere from sick to losing an arm or leg??? If you can answer this question correctly you are in the 1%.
Return to sender
Not in the 1%.
I'd imagine that the employer doesn't report the incident to insurance and the resident goes to a fee clinic. If it's an emergency then they are sent to the ER until they are stabilized, then released.
Not part of the 1%.
You fire them.
Let's make this fair for everyone. Everytime a police officer stops someone, for any violation, he should run the person for citizenship or a legal visa. Then everyone is treated fairly and we can deport the people who should not be here. Oh ya, then the lazy Americans would have to do the jobs of taxi driver, trash pickup, food service, etc., and get ff of welfare and unemployment. And, American employers would have to pay decent wages instead of paying the non-citizens cheap wages under the table.
It's not the worlds fault Americans want to be overpaid. Face it, in a global economy you have to learn to compete. That's what capitalism is all about. You could work for day labor wages or reduced salaries to compete with the folks from India come over with Visa's. Stop asking the government t0 hold your hand.
"It's not the worlds fault Americans want to be overpaid."
So if someone wants a good wage for their work, they're greedy. But men like Mitt Romney, who have more money than most people could spend in a lifetime... they're NOT greedy, and it would be wrong to raise their taxes to try and help less fortunate Americans.
Gotcha.
If someone wants more for their work than what can be had elsewhere, then yeah they are. What sense would it make to hire an American programmer for $50/hour when an immigrant on a Visa can get it done for $25/hour and be happy for it? I didn't invent capitalism, I just live here.
"Lazy" is not the issue and never has been.
Working for next to nothing is. So we'd get our jobs back. Wonderful.
Well said, sad but true, the GOP likes to have us (the taxpayers) pay state run hospitals for the poor, and then WE pay even more for their medical, then what we would be billed for on the same treatment. .
WHY?
Because the medical providers know we HAVE to pay for the poor, and they bill whatever they want, with little or no oversight to their costs.
Mitt says trickle down to the poor...when? GIVE ME OBAMA CARE, ITS GOTTA BE BETTER!
Nice try sr. pr
I do have a problem with the fact that I have to legally support those who are here illegally. Furthermore, I have to stand by and watch laws being passed that put honest, decent law enforcement officials in harms way.
I would like to know if they profile polish and Irish illegals who are here illegally. There are 450,000 irish illegals in the east coast. This is nothing but racism at extreme and looks to me like the profiling is based on the color of the skin. Racism is alive and flourishing in America as you can see in some states like Texas and Arizona.
Where did "Fed Up" mention race? You mentioned race. An illegal is an illegal is an illegal. No matter the color of their skin, the god they pray to, the amount of money they have or their favorite color. Find me an article that shows how much money registered voters pay every year for illegal residents. You will not find one. Now one has the guts to show honest hard working people numbers like that. It wouldn't be an issue politicians run for or against.
Hey Epiphany and Reality...read SB1070 again. I believe you will see that the Arizona police may ABSOLUTELY stop a vehicle based on their FEELING that something is amiss. Please don't take my word for it...read it. Of course you would not be supporting this "law" in Arizona based solely on your unwavering support for the Republican party would you? You most certainly read it and are well informed to support your OWN opinion, right?
Wrong. Try reading it yourself.
The more we do to rid the country of bigots and racists like you the better.
The more we get rid of illegal aliens, the better.
Here is a start..If a child is born in Germany the parents have to apply for German citizenship for the child. So why in America does a child from "None US Citizen(s)" get the right to have their child given a Birth Certificate making them a US Citizen? So, here is what I suggest...Any child that is born in the USA that does not have parent(s) one or the other as a US Citizen should be given a RECORD OF BIRTH and the parent can file for US Citizenship for that child going forward.... There has to be a beginning and a means to an end of all these pregnant none US Citizens giving birth by crossing the boarder so the child can be a US Citizen because of a Birth Certificate given to them for being born in the USA... Birth Certificate versus Record of Birth... There is a way to be held accountable and our government and medical professionals should start working towards making this happen. Keep in mind that no one is stating a person from any other country can not be a US Citizen because they can as long as it is done the right way. The slaves came over against their will and Europe Immigrants fled their native land due to many issues, but were not given citizenship until they applied or joined the US Military.... so stop talking racism people and start talking about how we as real Americans can continue on with Lady Liberty and the reasons we are a Great Nation of many and not a country divided.
That would be nice, if coming forward with your newborn and stating that you are here illegally didn't get you deported. Your logic is that of an ignorant american. On one side you say let's get back to lady liberty. Do you know what is on the statue of liberty... "Give me your poor, your tired..."; ring any bells?
"Give me your tired, your poor..." is a poem, not a policy.
wow guest, you are way off. Our immigration policy is completely messed up right now and putting your head in the sand is just horrible.
The bells it rings bells for sure, alarm bells!
By saying that it does not justify illegals, we a Nation of laws, AND to dismiss laws you choose not to abide by is NOT the way to become an American, by breaking our laws.
Don't compare Mex illegals, to lawbiding immigrants that went through the required process in the 1800's to become LEGAL Americans, you do them an injustice by doing so, and only anger Americans more on the illegal issues.
Sad that folks can't have a discussion without calling each other names. Guest, you may disagree with the writer named Birth, but that doesn't make him an "ignorant American". Just makes him someone who disagrees with you. And there is always the possibility that you may be wrong.
You said your grandparents came to the US legally, all you say after that applies to LEGAL residents of the US, not ILLEGALS.
What do they expect, they have broken serious laws to enter the US, then complain when the laws don't suite them.
No wonder the extreme right is so fed up with them. Now we have no choice but to pass a Dream Act to keep those who were born here through no fault of their own, what choice do we have.
We do have a choice by not passing the dream act which is spitting on those who obey the law.
Don't they already have a law against profiling in Connecticut? Just another "feel good" law like the one against texting, but that cannot possibly be enforced.
I wonder what white people would say if the shoe was on the other foot. Oh wait they are the minority of the world but run the world. Thank you for this law now as a black man I can walk down the street and not get stopped "You fit the description" Racism at it's best. Maybe he has a record or a warrant lol.
More than likely they would put the blame on the white people that commit crimes in great numbers rather than society.
Not true, Your trailer parks are full of meth heads, wife beaters, and house robbers. Yet the folks in the trailer park will blame minorities that don't live anywhere near them.
Khayree, police are already subject to being prosecuted and sued for racial profiling. What makes you think another law would make any difference if they really want to do it?
Waaaaaaaa, I'm not white.
I got no problem with them if they are here legally and follow the laws of this country like my great grandparents did when they came from Russia and Italy.
Unfortunately not everyone is like you, Scott, my father recalls a time when businesses in Connecticut flaunted signs saying "NO DOGS OR PUERTO RICANS ALLOWED" with impunity. Even 4 years ago my Puerto Rico-born, fully bilingual daughter faced a medical staffer in Georgia who demanded her "green card." It takes laws to stifle hate and voluntary ignorance, or haven't you noticed?
Your father never saw signs that said that. It's like the urban legend of "No Irish Need Apply" signs in New York.
It never happened.
You must be one of those historical revisionists that say the Holocaust never happened either.
I wonder if ALEC can use their influence to peddle this legislation in other states – specifically ARIZONA!!
This shoudl be the model, not AZ SB1070...
AZ SB1070 allows officers to check immigration status while they've stopped a vehicle for a moving or other vehicular violation. They are not allowed to randomly pull people over and check their immigration status solely because they think someone may be an illegal alien. Which actually mimics federal laws already on the books, but which our esteemed government doesn't feel the need to uphold. Instead they feel the need to waste taxpayer dollars suing states that attempt to protect their citizens where their federal government refuses to protect them.
Epiphany, You are absolutely correct in your assessment of AZ SB1070. The Feds are making a mockery of immigration laws and the White House is using it for political gain. That is the real crime.
if you were a legal latino in the U.S. you would opine differently.