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The Racial Profiling of a Bicicleta Bandito
When I rushed back outside with my camera Tuesday evening, bicyclist "Felipe" was still being detained but the cops had yet to start writing him a ticket. His crime? Being an "errant" bicyclist. Oh yeah, he's also Latino.
I start taking pictures, officer 1 immediately approaches me.
"Can I help you?"
"Just curious."
"He was riding on the sidewalk."
(I'd only seen him riding in the bike lane in the opposite direction when the cops pulled him over, but I'm sure it's possible - cops never lie).
"Anything else you need?"
"No sir. Just curious."
Officer 1 walks back over and joins officer 2, who is now taking Felipe's picture. They discuss something, look in my direction, give Felipe his ID back, and take off.
I approach Felipe...
He looks a little shaken up. Ironically, I'm about to tell him about Santa Cruz's new bicycle traffic school, where he can get a $35 scolding instead of a $100 fine, when I realize, they didn't give him a ticket.
Felipe explains that the police had initially pulled him over for riding his bike incorrectly but then started asking him where he's going (home), where he's coming from (soccer practice), if he's in a gang (no), and then take his picture. He points out that his street is the next block over and that it makes little sense to cross 30-40 feet of pavement just to cross back in a couple of seconds. He also points out that he's seen little girls riding their bikes the way he has and asks me if I think the police would have pulled them over.
I try to picture a scenario where the police pull over some of the girls I'd also seen riding "errantly" in the neighborhood, asking for their IDs, if they were in a gang, and then taking their picture - I can't come up w/ anything.
As Felipe gets back on his cruiser and rides down an empty sidewalk, I'm filled with more questions than answers: Does the bicycle traffic school do anything to address the issue of police using minor traffic violations to start a profile on someone who isn't white? Is it possible that it gives the police a green light to start pulling over more bicyclists? Does the fact that modern day streets are designed for car-use (wide lanes, soft corners, etc) play a role in discouraging bicyclists from complying with traffic laws? Should traffic laws designed for motorized vehicles be equally applied to non-motorized vehicles?
It would be foolish to claim there aren't bicyclists who don't ride recklessly. But it would be more foolish to claim that having to occasionally maneuver around oncoming riders in a bike lane is the safety equivalent of dodging car doors, or getting paralyzed by a driver who was talking on his cell phone. Anyone who's ever ridden on the San Lorenzo levy or by the buffered Boardwalk "Rail-Trail" path knows this. Seriously, most bike lanes can easily fit two way bike traffic - it's the parked cars that make space tight.
As for Felipe, the good news is he didn't get a ticket. The bad news is the police now have a file on him, and to a certain degree, have given off the impression that the law isn't as color blind as they claim. To that end, I think I'll keep a camera on me from now on...
"Can I help you?"
"Just curious."
"He was riding on the sidewalk."
(I'd only seen him riding in the bike lane in the opposite direction when the cops pulled him over, but I'm sure it's possible - cops never lie).
"Anything else you need?"
"No sir. Just curious."
Officer 1 walks back over and joins officer 2, who is now taking Felipe's picture. They discuss something, look in my direction, give Felipe his ID back, and take off.
I approach Felipe...
He looks a little shaken up. Ironically, I'm about to tell him about Santa Cruz's new bicycle traffic school, where he can get a $35 scolding instead of a $100 fine, when I realize, they didn't give him a ticket.
Felipe explains that the police had initially pulled him over for riding his bike incorrectly but then started asking him where he's going (home), where he's coming from (soccer practice), if he's in a gang (no), and then take his picture. He points out that his street is the next block over and that it makes little sense to cross 30-40 feet of pavement just to cross back in a couple of seconds. He also points out that he's seen little girls riding their bikes the way he has and asks me if I think the police would have pulled them over.
I try to picture a scenario where the police pull over some of the girls I'd also seen riding "errantly" in the neighborhood, asking for their IDs, if they were in a gang, and then taking their picture - I can't come up w/ anything.
As Felipe gets back on his cruiser and rides down an empty sidewalk, I'm filled with more questions than answers: Does the bicycle traffic school do anything to address the issue of police using minor traffic violations to start a profile on someone who isn't white? Is it possible that it gives the police a green light to start pulling over more bicyclists? Does the fact that modern day streets are designed for car-use (wide lanes, soft corners, etc) play a role in discouraging bicyclists from complying with traffic laws? Should traffic laws designed for motorized vehicles be equally applied to non-motorized vehicles?
It would be foolish to claim there aren't bicyclists who don't ride recklessly. But it would be more foolish to claim that having to occasionally maneuver around oncoming riders in a bike lane is the safety equivalent of dodging car doors, or getting paralyzed by a driver who was talking on his cell phone. Anyone who's ever ridden on the San Lorenzo levy or by the buffered Boardwalk "Rail-Trail" path knows this. Seriously, most bike lanes can easily fit two way bike traffic - it's the parked cars that make space tight.
As for Felipe, the good news is he didn't get a ticket. The bad news is the police now have a file on him, and to a certain degree, have given off the impression that the law isn't as color blind as they claim. To that end, I think I'll keep a camera on me from now on...
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Thank you for documenting this incident. Surely, for every incident documented there are dozens undocumented. Most of us don't believe these things happen unless they happen to us personally, but your article demonstrates one of the many incidents that would not be covered by mainstream media.
Well, there's no question they could have profiled him. I'm not sure that's so unreasonable, considering the area of town that's in (soccer field by the wharf?). There's a significant gang problem down there, and in adjacent beach flats. Most of the members are young hispanic males. There have been 2 shootings in town since January, both involving gang members; one resulted in a death. As such, if a cop stopped someone for an illegal activity, I don't see that it's unreasonable to ask if they're affiliated with a gang.
You say they accused him of riding on the sidewalk, but he in fact was "only" riding the wrong way down the street, and they stopped him just for that. If anything, his riding down the street the wrong way is worse than riding on the sidewalk. On the sidewalk, he's not gonna get hit. And, since there have been 2 bicycle deaths in the past half year, both within a half mile of that spot (Mission/Bay, and E.Cliff by Ocean), I don't see that it's unreasonable to stop him.
So maybe it's all personal perspective. IMO, it's not an outrage to think that a cop has stopped a kid for riding his bike illegally in a gang neighborhood where bike deaths have recently occurred., asked him if he's in a gang, and released him with a warning. That's what police work is. If anything, they were lenient in giving him a warning. He's guilty of a moving violation, which is a pricey ticket and could have delayed his ability to get his drivers license. They could have messed with him a lot more if they were looking to mess with him.
You say they accused him of riding on the sidewalk, but he in fact was "only" riding the wrong way down the street, and they stopped him just for that. If anything, his riding down the street the wrong way is worse than riding on the sidewalk. On the sidewalk, he's not gonna get hit. And, since there have been 2 bicycle deaths in the past half year, both within a half mile of that spot (Mission/Bay, and E.Cliff by Ocean), I don't see that it's unreasonable to stop him.
So maybe it's all personal perspective. IMO, it's not an outrage to think that a cop has stopped a kid for riding his bike illegally in a gang neighborhood where bike deaths have recently occurred., asked him if he's in a gang, and released him with a warning. That's what police work is. If anything, they were lenient in giving him a warning. He's guilty of a moving violation, which is a pricey ticket and could have delayed his ability to get his drivers license. They could have messed with him a lot more if they were looking to mess with him.
Um, That looks like a Capitola Police Dept Car to me....
But I still feel that the issue remains consistent. While it puts the kid in question further from where bike deaths have occurred, it puts him closer to where the two most recent gang shootings have occurred. (Live Oak, Soquel High).
I suspect it's a situation where everyone will feel a difference of opinion based upon their personal perspective or viewpoint. To me, it's still not that unreasonable to have a cop stop someone riding the wrong way down the road, issue them a warning for it, and inquire if they're gang affiliated. Profiling from one viewpoint, being realistic about the statistical probabilities from another.
I suspect it's a situation where everyone will feel a difference of opinion based upon their personal perspective or viewpoint. To me, it's still not that unreasonable to have a cop stop someone riding the wrong way down the road, issue them a warning for it, and inquire if they're gang affiliated. Profiling from one viewpoint, being realistic about the statistical probabilities from another.
Nobody ever took my photo at a traffic stop. There are plenty of non-gang latinos who might bike through the area too.
Hi,
Thanks for documenting this use of profiling & possible selective enforcement. I would file a complaint. At least it goes on record so the Capitola City council cannot say that have not gotten any complaints on profiling should the issue ever arise as it did here. You can fill out a complaint, or, should the reason ever arise, a commendation for any police officer. Was this taken with a flash? Strange the number on the lic plate of the police car did not come out. They do when I take pics of SC police. It may just be the lighting but I would be interested if others have issues with this. There are many ways to buy or make it so a camera cannot film a lic plate, but 99% do not work. If there is one that does work, leave it to the Capitola police to find it and use it. That is something we need to be able to document. Thanks for the good work.
Tim Rumford
Its great to document these things here, but having it on file could help some other poor soul who ends up in worse shape. Sad this still happens, and much more often than we see as someone else said, but we all know it does. People do not need to answer those questions, although it may have saved him a ticket in this instance. In my humble opinion, give them only info they are legally entitled to. They want to chat you up. It was none of there biz where he was going or where he lived, unless they were to cite him, which I am sure would have been there reason if questioned. Even then most, if not all of those questions are not necessary or required to answer. Its a personal choice how much you want to answer. Be nice, but give nothing.
Tim Rumford
Thanks for documenting this use of profiling & possible selective enforcement. I would file a complaint. At least it goes on record so the Capitola City council cannot say that have not gotten any complaints on profiling should the issue ever arise as it did here. You can fill out a complaint, or, should the reason ever arise, a commendation for any police officer. Was this taken with a flash? Strange the number on the lic plate of the police car did not come out. They do when I take pics of SC police. It may just be the lighting but I would be interested if others have issues with this. There are many ways to buy or make it so a camera cannot film a lic plate, but 99% do not work. If there is one that does work, leave it to the Capitola police to find it and use it. That is something we need to be able to document. Thanks for the good work.
Tim Rumford
Its great to document these things here, but having it on file could help some other poor soul who ends up in worse shape. Sad this still happens, and much more often than we see as someone else said, but we all know it does. People do not need to answer those questions, although it may have saved him a ticket in this instance. In my humble opinion, give them only info they are legally entitled to. They want to chat you up. It was none of there biz where he was going or where he lived, unless they were to cite him, which I am sure would have been there reason if questioned. Even then most, if not all of those questions are not necessary or required to answer. Its a personal choice how much you want to answer. Be nice, but give nothing.
Tim Rumford
For more information:
http://www.humanityforhomeless.blogspot.com
I don't understand why the police didn't write him a ticket. I encounter these bozos riding the wrong way down the bike lane on Broadway and sometimes Bay. One of these days a legal rider will get clipped by a car while dodging one of them. There is a reason cyclists are required to follow the same laws as other vehicles. If it is too much trouble to ride safely and legally for a few dozen feet, get off your bike and walk it down the sidewalk. Leave the streets for those of us who want to be safe while we ride. At least if he was given a ticket, he might have ended up in the new bicycle traffic school.
How can this stop be racially motivated? Look at the officers.
Tired of the spin, you weren't being serious were you???
Even if these officers are what you call "diverse", that doesn't mean they aren't a part of institutionalized racism that hurts other people and themselves.
Even if these officers are what you call "diverse", that doesn't mean they aren't a part of institutionalized racism that hurts other people and themselves.
I wasn't there at the scene, but what I do see is this. he's riding a bike to get around; the cops are in a gas-burning polluting vehicle backing an imperialist capitalist system that is driving the earth into ecological catastrophe. a 160 square mile chunk of ice just broke off of the Wilkins Ice Shelf in Antarctica. Greenland is melting. exactly what is justice?
The license plate number is 1072910
Serving and protecting makes a very clear and valid point.
If your using a computer, your as bad as a cop using a car. Your using electricity, a machine that requires fabrication and results in dangerous pollutants as an after-product.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it. Oh, wait..smoke is bad for the environment. Cancel that.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it. Oh, wait..smoke is bad for the environment. Cancel that.
Looks like all the food in Santa Cruz, whether at the farmers market, New Leaf, Staff, or anywhere, no matter how organic or biodynamic it is, gets here by a gas guzzling car or truck. So I guess that makes us all supporters of a capitalist system.
I still can't figure out how two Hispanic cops pulling over a Hispanic bicyclist is by definition racist... You're making far too big of a leap. They're under no obligation to explain to a random passer-by (i.e. YOU) the details of the stop. If they did, that would be a violation of the bicyclist's right to privacy. Would you want them broadcasting that sort of information if you were being stopped for whatever reason? I sure as heck wouldn't if I were in his shoes.
It may be racially motivated, but then again the guy may have matched the description of someone who did something fairly nasty.
It may be racially motivated, but then again the guy may have matched the description of someone who did something fairly nasty.
If any minority ever gets pulled over for anything, it is immediately racial profiling. Furthermore, when reporting on the event, we should only listen to the side of the story of the suspect in question, and present 100% skepticism, to the point of refusal to listen to, the authorities in the matter.
This is news. This is relevant.
This is news. This is relevant.
Racial profiling is very present in law enforcement today. I've document numerous cases where racial profiling was clearly present, and have known a few police officers that quit the law force because they could not hack the discrimination that went on. I am not saying that all law enforcement practices racial profiling but it is definitely not discouraged. To say that this story is Bulls--- is ignoring the obvious truth, that this man was pulled over because he looked like a suspicious minority. His crime was simply being of a darker completion. Discrimination is still very institutionalized today. You can refuse to believe it, but just look at the police statistics of those they arrest, pull over, and those that are in prison. Clearly there are racial disparities. .
I'm a little concerned. If the bicyclist was white would it still be racial profiling? Because the census of California shows that caucasions are the minority in this state. If you look at the photo one of those officers appears hispanic. So, is it still racial profiling if done by a person of the same race? I think its a total joke that people immediately try to discredit officers by saying their racist based on who they stop for violating a vehicle code violation or city ordinance. How about this young man ride his bike according to the rules of the road. Its not always about race. It shouldn't be anyway. I think that there is more racism by those accusing cops of being racists. What do you think?
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