click logo for homepage
 
 

	Vol.7, No 8, September 13, 1999
	Race sparks policy By Johnna Walker Daily Fory-Niner A controversial bill made its way from the state capitol to the Associated Students Senate meeting last week. Senate Bill 78, which would require the Department of Justice to include statistics reflecting the race or ethnicity of traffic violators in its annual report, recently moved to the floor of the state Assembly.  The bill was brought to the attention of the A.S. Senate and students during a meeting Wednesday. A.S.I. Vice President Sheryl Mauricio addressed the bill and asked for student feedback.  "There are good and bad cops and if they're bad, they deserve to be dealt with accordingly," said Jose Ayala, A.S. senator for the College of Liberal Arts.  The billís purpose is to determine whether police officers pull over more African Americans and Latinos than white citizens based on evidence, according to a report issued by at the American Civil Liberties Union.  "It's really up to the department to observe the officersí demeanor," CSULB University Police Sgt. Bonnie Meyers said. "If their behavior is discriminatory in any way, then itís a training issue."  Mauricio told the Senate that there is already a section on traffic tickets issued by University Police, which should require officiers to specify the race of the individuals cited.  Meyers confirmed that on-campus officers are required to fill that section.  A few students addressed their concerns about the issue, but the A.S. Senate did not take a formal stand on the bill. Some Cal State Long Beach faculty and staff members are skeptical towards the proposal.  "African American males and females have experienced these issues at the hands of the police, so we know first hand,î said David Love, CSULB Black Student Union president. "If the system can be trusted to be honest enough to record these incidents, it will be helpful." According to the Official California Legislative Information Web site, the department would also be required to provide statistics on procedural information such as the number of individuals stopped, whether a citation or warning was issued, and the alleged traffic infraction.  Other details would include whether or not a search was instituted, the legal basis for the search, whether any contraband or property was seized and whether an oral or written warning or citation and possible arrests resulted form the stop.  This information for the annual report would be obtained from law enforcement officials who would record this data after making routine traffic stops, according to the web site. This information would not, however, identify the specific officers who pulled over the motorits.  Meyers agreed with the California Peace Officers Association and the California Police Chiefs Association, which formally stated that the bill would not be an effective way to modify any problems without singling out officers.		Arrest warrant out for professor Prominent teacher return Big concert, food chains proposed Race sparks policy System may track student success U.S. -World police Binge drinking still on campus; won't change A night in the life of a CSULB student bartenders Surprise band delights Movie does not have 'Best Laid Plans' OtherStarPeople put together solid first effort Soccer short again Water polo team almost pulls shocker against USC 49ers closer to win record Davis has come long way in NFL Fall 99 ISSUES DAILY 49ER HOMEPAGE
Forty-Niner Publications, Department of Journalism, California State University, Long Beach ©1999 All rights reserved.