Letters to the Editors

Racial profiling needs to be expunged

© St. Petersburg Times,
published June 13, 2001

Re: Lawyer accuses officer of using racial profile, June 2.

Perennially, the St. Petersburg Police Department proves itself to be one of the most racially insensitive governmental entities in Pinellas County. It is inconceivable, at the dawning of the 21st century, that a police agency or police officer could believe that "doing the right thing" includes racial profiling. Yet, barely a month goes by without a reminder of just how entrenched racism is within the St. Petersburg Police Department.

Stopping a motorist in a "right turn only" lane for allegedly failing to use a turn signal, simply because the driver of the vehicle was black, and then trying to justify it, is an insult to every citizen of this community. Grady Irvin, attorney at law, driver of the aforementioned vehicle, deserves a public apology from the St. Petersburg Police Department. The officer who stopped him deserves a refresher course in racial sensitivity, and community service in an area where he could contribute something positive to the citizens of St. Petersburg. But what of the department itself?

The existence of racial profiling, in any form, within the St. Petersburg Police Department suggests the existence of a form of institutional racism that is both unthinkable and inexcusable. There can be no hope for peace and conciliation among the people of this community so long as the guardians of the community are willing to judge people on the basis of the color of their skin, rather than the content of their character.

This was not an isolated incident, this was not an officer acting out a private agenda. This was a "routine," racially motivated act of provocation.
-- Greg Daniel, Clearwater

Monotube not ugly, just wrong color

Re: Monotube.

I recently returned from Albuquerque, N.M., where there are monotubes all over the city, mostly on the freeways that run through the center of town. The only difference is that they are painted a light tan color, which is easier on the eye, and matches the background of the mountains surrounding Albuquerque. You hardly notice them.

It seems to me that if the monotube in Pinellas Park was painted light blue, it would merge with the color of the sky and wouldn't be noticed as much. Just a suggestion.
-- Sally Snyder, Pinellas Park

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