The San Francisco police have offered up a number of factors to explain this discrepancy. These arguments are mainly based on group characteristics. The problem with that form of analysis is that we would then expect to see the same type of magnitude of disproportionality in all cities and we clearly do not. San Francisco’s discrepancy is much higher than other comparable cities.
“Many experts acknowledge that the factors Fong and her officers cite may contribute to the city’s black arrest rate. They also note that in cities throughout America, African Americans are arrested in numbers that exceed their presence in the population. But they say the black arrest rate in San Francisco is so much higher than other California cities that the disparity cannot be explained completely by the factors cited by police.“ (San Francisco Chronicle, December 17. 2006).
By comparison the report suggests that this rate is twice that of Sacramento and Fresno, three times that of San Jose, Los Angeles, Long Beach and San Diego, and four times the rate of that in Oakland.
The question arose in a comment section of yesterday’s brief discussion item of how that compares locally. I have the figures that were cited by then Assistant Chief Steve Piece on August 22, 2005. This data only goes to August 19, 2005. Perhaps we can receive an update from the now acting chief.
In 2005, African Americans were 3.75 times more likely to be arrested than you would predict simply on the basis of population. In 2004, African Americans were 3.3 times more likely to be arrest than what you would predict based on their proportion of the population. In 2003, African Americans were 3.3 times more likely to be arrest than what you would predict given their proportion of the population.
I feel uncomfortable drawing conclusions based on these data in comparison with the big cities, given that I do not have raw numbers, only percentages in front of me. But an educated guess places the rate of disproportionality somewhat above that of Sacramento and Fresno but well below that of San Francisco. It seems a bit higher than in places like Los Angeles and a lot higher than places like Oakland. However, comparing Davis to large cities is perhaps unfair as well. I would like to see how this rate compares to adjacent cities and also cities of similar size. But nevertheless it is interesting to at least look at these numbers and see where Davis falls relative to Sacramento and Los Angeles. There is a clear problem in San Francisco that is going to take significant resources to study.
—Doug Paul Davis reporting
Not only should we feel “uncomfortable ” about drawing hard and fast conclusions here but it would play right into the hands of the “usual suspects” who we can expect will jump on this blog and try to inflame the only really effective wedge issue that they created in our last election. LET’S NOT TAKE THE BAIT! I agree with Doug.. our new ombudsman looks like a straight shooter and I will heed his counsel,for now,”.. not everything is nefarious”, and hope
that the HRC chair’s political self-immolation and the resultant neutering of this most important citizen commission by the gang of three was not in vain.
Not only should we feel “uncomfortable ” about drawing hard and fast conclusions here but it would play right into the hands of the “usual suspects” who we can expect will jump on this blog and try to inflame the only really effective wedge issue that they created in our last election. LET’S NOT TAKE THE BAIT! I agree with Doug.. our new ombudsman looks like a straight shooter and I will heed his counsel,for now,”.. not everything is nefarious”, and hope
that the HRC chair’s political self-immolation and the resultant neutering of this most important citizen commission by the gang of three was not in vain.
Not only should we feel “uncomfortable ” about drawing hard and fast conclusions here but it would play right into the hands of the “usual suspects” who we can expect will jump on this blog and try to inflame the only really effective wedge issue that they created in our last election. LET’S NOT TAKE THE BAIT! I agree with Doug.. our new ombudsman looks like a straight shooter and I will heed his counsel,for now,”.. not everything is nefarious”, and hope
that the HRC chair’s political self-immolation and the resultant neutering of this most important citizen commission by the gang of three was not in vain.
Not only should we feel “uncomfortable ” about drawing hard and fast conclusions here but it would play right into the hands of the “usual suspects” who we can expect will jump on this blog and try to inflame the only really effective wedge issue that they created in our last election. LET’S NOT TAKE THE BAIT! I agree with Doug.. our new ombudsman looks like a straight shooter and I will heed his counsel,for now,”.. not everything is nefarious”, and hope
that the HRC chair’s political self-immolation and the resultant neutering of this most important citizen commission by the gang of three was not in vain.
I’ve been thinking about this with regards to the issue of San Francisco’s statistics. One thing that would be interesting to test for, is to look at the socioeconomic statistics regarding who is low-income, who is in poverty in San Francisco. Let’s suppose, that 40 percent of those living in poverty in San Francisco were African-American. I stress, that I do not have those data in front of me. But if that’s the case, maybe it’s not so outrageous that the statistics are as they are and there may be a similar phenomenon going on in Davis. Perhaps other cities have more even distributions of low-income/ impoverished people. That’s all speculation, but it is an alternative theory that goes away from assumptions of racism, which I think tend to close rather than open discussions. And let me be clear, if it turns out that the reason for this is income rather than racism, that still is a problem that needs to be addressed. It is just a problem of a different nature. Hopefully with more studies that could be fleshed out.
I’ve been thinking about this with regards to the issue of San Francisco’s statistics. One thing that would be interesting to test for, is to look at the socioeconomic statistics regarding who is low-income, who is in poverty in San Francisco. Let’s suppose, that 40 percent of those living in poverty in San Francisco were African-American. I stress, that I do not have those data in front of me. But if that’s the case, maybe it’s not so outrageous that the statistics are as they are and there may be a similar phenomenon going on in Davis. Perhaps other cities have more even distributions of low-income/ impoverished people. That’s all speculation, but it is an alternative theory that goes away from assumptions of racism, which I think tend to close rather than open discussions. And let me be clear, if it turns out that the reason for this is income rather than racism, that still is a problem that needs to be addressed. It is just a problem of a different nature. Hopefully with more studies that could be fleshed out.
I’ve been thinking about this with regards to the issue of San Francisco’s statistics. One thing that would be interesting to test for, is to look at the socioeconomic statistics regarding who is low-income, who is in poverty in San Francisco. Let’s suppose, that 40 percent of those living in poverty in San Francisco were African-American. I stress, that I do not have those data in front of me. But if that’s the case, maybe it’s not so outrageous that the statistics are as they are and there may be a similar phenomenon going on in Davis. Perhaps other cities have more even distributions of low-income/ impoverished people. That’s all speculation, but it is an alternative theory that goes away from assumptions of racism, which I think tend to close rather than open discussions. And let me be clear, if it turns out that the reason for this is income rather than racism, that still is a problem that needs to be addressed. It is just a problem of a different nature. Hopefully with more studies that could be fleshed out.
I’ve been thinking about this with regards to the issue of San Francisco’s statistics. One thing that would be interesting to test for, is to look at the socioeconomic statistics regarding who is low-income, who is in poverty in San Francisco. Let’s suppose, that 40 percent of those living in poverty in San Francisco were African-American. I stress, that I do not have those data in front of me. But if that’s the case, maybe it’s not so outrageous that the statistics are as they are and there may be a similar phenomenon going on in Davis. Perhaps other cities have more even distributions of low-income/ impoverished people. That’s all speculation, but it is an alternative theory that goes away from assumptions of racism, which I think tend to close rather than open discussions. And let me be clear, if it turns out that the reason for this is income rather than racism, that still is a problem that needs to be addressed. It is just a problem of a different nature. Hopefully with more studies that could be fleshed out.
Let me relate a personal experience..years ago, I spent some time, cruising from island to island in the Bahamas. I was an outsider, physically and psychologically isolated from those ashore with no emotional investment in them. It was apparent to me, even at the time, that this lifestyle was challenging the restraints that held me back from anti-social behavoir , and I admit, in some minor incidents, were defeated… this phenomenon won’t be found in statistics.
Let me relate a personal experience..years ago, I spent some time, cruising from island to island in the Bahamas. I was an outsider, physically and psychologically isolated from those ashore with no emotional investment in them. It was apparent to me, even at the time, that this lifestyle was challenging the restraints that held me back from anti-social behavoir , and I admit, in some minor incidents, were defeated… this phenomenon won’t be found in statistics.
Let me relate a personal experience..years ago, I spent some time, cruising from island to island in the Bahamas. I was an outsider, physically and psychologically isolated from those ashore with no emotional investment in them. It was apparent to me, even at the time, that this lifestyle was challenging the restraints that held me back from anti-social behavoir , and I admit, in some minor incidents, were defeated… this phenomenon won’t be found in statistics.
Let me relate a personal experience..years ago, I spent some time, cruising from island to island in the Bahamas. I was an outsider, physically and psychologically isolated from those ashore with no emotional investment in them. It was apparent to me, even at the time, that this lifestyle was challenging the restraints that held me back from anti-social behavoir , and I admit, in some minor incidents, were defeated… this phenomenon won’t be found in statistics.
davisite
Does that mean you became pirate like?
davisite
Does that mean you became pirate like?
davisite
Does that mean you became pirate like?
davisite
Does that mean you became pirate like?
YUP- but just a mini pirate-occasionally “gathering” needed supplies (food, water) that I knew were not there just for the taking….something that I would not do if I was part of that community.
YUP- but just a mini pirate-occasionally “gathering” needed supplies (food, water) that I knew were not there just for the taking….something that I would not do if I was part of that community.
YUP- but just a mini pirate-occasionally “gathering” needed supplies (food, water) that I knew were not there just for the taking….something that I would not do if I was part of that community.
YUP- but just a mini pirate-occasionally “gathering” needed supplies (food, water) that I knew were not there just for the taking….something that I would not do if I was part of that community.
My thought on an alternative is out the window based on these data.
Looking at these data for African Americans is startling:
SF 145 arrests per 1000
Oak 34 arrests per 1000
SJ 40 arrests per 1000
Sac 81 arrests per 1000
Frs 68 arrests for 1000
LA 47 arrests for 1000
LB 50 arrests for 1000
SD 49 arrests for 1000
My thought on an alternative is out the window based on these data.
Looking at these data for African Americans is startling:
SF 145 arrests per 1000
Oak 34 arrests per 1000
SJ 40 arrests per 1000
Sac 81 arrests per 1000
Frs 68 arrests for 1000
LA 47 arrests for 1000
LB 50 arrests for 1000
SD 49 arrests for 1000
My thought on an alternative is out the window based on these data.
Looking at these data for African Americans is startling:
SF 145 arrests per 1000
Oak 34 arrests per 1000
SJ 40 arrests per 1000
Sac 81 arrests per 1000
Frs 68 arrests for 1000
LA 47 arrests for 1000
LB 50 arrests for 1000
SD 49 arrests for 1000
My thought on an alternative is out the window based on these data.
Looking at these data for African Americans is startling:
SF 145 arrests per 1000
Oak 34 arrests per 1000
SJ 40 arrests per 1000
Sac 81 arrests per 1000
Frs 68 arrests for 1000
LA 47 arrests for 1000
LB 50 arrests for 1000
SD 49 arrests for 1000
Okay I found arrest data from 2000 and have computed the following for Davis:
African Americans arrest rate 43.5 per 1000
White arrest rate: 9.8 per 1000
So almost four and half times the rate of whites. Hispanics by the way are 22.7 per 1000.
So Davis has a higher arrest rate for African Americans than Oakland or San Jose and slightly lower than LA.
Okay I found arrest data from 2000 and have computed the following for Davis:
African Americans arrest rate 43.5 per 1000
White arrest rate: 9.8 per 1000
So almost four and half times the rate of whites. Hispanics by the way are 22.7 per 1000.
So Davis has a higher arrest rate for African Americans than Oakland or San Jose and slightly lower than LA.
Okay I found arrest data from 2000 and have computed the following for Davis:
African Americans arrest rate 43.5 per 1000
White arrest rate: 9.8 per 1000
So almost four and half times the rate of whites. Hispanics by the way are 22.7 per 1000.
So Davis has a higher arrest rate for African Americans than Oakland or San Jose and slightly lower than LA.
Okay I found arrest data from 2000 and have computed the following for Davis:
African Americans arrest rate 43.5 per 1000
White arrest rate: 9.8 per 1000
So almost four and half times the rate of whites. Hispanics by the way are 22.7 per 1000.
So Davis has a higher arrest rate for African Americans than Oakland or San Jose and slightly lower than LA.
Most of the bigger cities have areas like Hunters Point where the social economic conditions are really bad. Those areas have high levels of violence, drug dealing and prostitution. However, I do not think Davis has areas like that so it is hard to understand why the rate of Black arrests is 4.5 times higher than it is for Whites in Davis.SAH
Most of the bigger cities have areas like Hunters Point where the social economic conditions are really bad. Those areas have high levels of violence, drug dealing and prostitution. However, I do not think Davis has areas like that so it is hard to understand why the rate of Black arrests is 4.5 times higher than it is for Whites in Davis.SAH
Most of the bigger cities have areas like Hunters Point where the social economic conditions are really bad. Those areas have high levels of violence, drug dealing and prostitution. However, I do not think Davis has areas like that so it is hard to understand why the rate of Black arrests is 4.5 times higher than it is for Whites in Davis.SAH
Most of the bigger cities have areas like Hunters Point where the social economic conditions are really bad. Those areas have high levels of violence, drug dealing and prostitution. However, I do not think Davis has areas like that so it is hard to understand why the rate of Black arrests is 4.5 times higher than it is for Whites in Davis.SAH
I found this quote amazing because I’ve heard the same thing from black professionals in Davis:
Arlene Ackerman, former San Francisco school superintendent now teaching at Columbia University’s Teachers College in New York City: “I believe that race in San Francisco is the elephant in the room and people refuse to talk about it and if you bring it up, then you are the racist. I felt more uncomfortable as a black person in San Francisco than I have felt in any other city. … Someone has to be courageous and step up and address the issue of race in the city, starting in the education system and moving through the criminal justice system.”
I found this quote amazing because I’ve heard the same thing from black professionals in Davis:
Arlene Ackerman, former San Francisco school superintendent now teaching at Columbia University’s Teachers College in New York City: “I believe that race in San Francisco is the elephant in the room and people refuse to talk about it and if you bring it up, then you are the racist. I felt more uncomfortable as a black person in San Francisco than I have felt in any other city. … Someone has to be courageous and step up and address the issue of race in the city, starting in the education system and moving through the criminal justice system.”
I found this quote amazing because I’ve heard the same thing from black professionals in Davis:
Arlene Ackerman, former San Francisco school superintendent now teaching at Columbia University’s Teachers College in New York City: “I believe that race in San Francisco is the elephant in the room and people refuse to talk about it and if you bring it up, then you are the racist. I felt more uncomfortable as a black person in San Francisco than I have felt in any other city. … Someone has to be courageous and step up and address the issue of race in the city, starting in the education system and moving through the criminal justice system.”
I found this quote amazing because I’ve heard the same thing from black professionals in Davis:
Arlene Ackerman, former San Francisco school superintendent now teaching at Columbia University’s Teachers College in New York City: “I believe that race in San Francisco is the elephant in the room and people refuse to talk about it and if you bring it up, then you are the racist. I felt more uncomfortable as a black person in San Francisco than I have felt in any other city. … Someone has to be courageous and step up and address the issue of race in the city, starting in the education system and moving through the criminal justice system.”
this really should be the subject of a detailed, case by case study, with special attention to correlations other than or in addition to race. huge story, doug, and one which i think would stun most davisites, were it to come to their attention.
this really should be the subject of a detailed, case by case study, with special attention to correlations other than or in addition to race. huge story, doug, and one which i think would stun most davisites, were it to come to their attention.
this really should be the subject of a detailed, case by case study, with special attention to correlations other than or in addition to race. huge story, doug, and one which i think would stun most davisites, were it to come to their attention.
this really should be the subject of a detailed, case by case study, with special attention to correlations other than or in addition to race. huge story, doug, and one which i think would stun most davisites, were it to come to their attention.
The reason the disproportionate arrest rates are important is not so much because they show distinct incidents of racist oppression.
This is an evidence of how centuries of stereotyping, lack of economic oportunity, and unequal treatment under the law, have never really been undone.
As the dominant culture in the US pats itself on the back because of the Civil Rights Movement, families still pass on their world view to their children.
Racists pass on their hate to the next generation. Poor oppressed black families pass on their experiences with the law and police as lessons.
The statistics are important because more frequently than not, profiling may be happening on a subconscious level. The cops who arbitrarily search cars with black drivers don’t necessarily have to be motivated by hate.
The reason the disproportionate arrest rates are important is not so much because they show distinct incidents of racist oppression.
This is an evidence of how centuries of stereotyping, lack of economic oportunity, and unequal treatment under the law, have never really been undone.
As the dominant culture in the US pats itself on the back because of the Civil Rights Movement, families still pass on their world view to their children.
Racists pass on their hate to the next generation. Poor oppressed black families pass on their experiences with the law and police as lessons.
The statistics are important because more frequently than not, profiling may be happening on a subconscious level. The cops who arbitrarily search cars with black drivers don’t necessarily have to be motivated by hate.
The reason the disproportionate arrest rates are important is not so much because they show distinct incidents of racist oppression.
This is an evidence of how centuries of stereotyping, lack of economic oportunity, and unequal treatment under the law, have never really been undone.
As the dominant culture in the US pats itself on the back because of the Civil Rights Movement, families still pass on their world view to their children.
Racists pass on their hate to the next generation. Poor oppressed black families pass on their experiences with the law and police as lessons.
The statistics are important because more frequently than not, profiling may be happening on a subconscious level. The cops who arbitrarily search cars with black drivers don’t necessarily have to be motivated by hate.
The reason the disproportionate arrest rates are important is not so much because they show distinct incidents of racist oppression.
This is an evidence of how centuries of stereotyping, lack of economic oportunity, and unequal treatment under the law, have never really been undone.
As the dominant culture in the US pats itself on the back because of the Civil Rights Movement, families still pass on their world view to their children.
Racists pass on their hate to the next generation. Poor oppressed black families pass on their experiences with the law and police as lessons.
The statistics are important because more frequently than not, profiling may be happening on a subconscious level. The cops who arbitrarily search cars with black drivers don’t necessarily have to be motivated by hate.