Orwellian police tactic that targets Black Americans for simply existing: Here's How It Works:

[kpete]

WEDNESDAY, APR 15, 2015 10:36 AM PDT
Police forces are detaining black "suspects" for trespassing — whether or not they actually are
JASON WILLIAMSON

Here’s how it works: Grand Rapids police officers solicit business owners in select “high-crime” neighborhoods and ask them to sign a No Trespass Letter, stating that they do not want unauthorized people on their property and that they will cooperate with any efforts to prosecute trespassers. The signed letter, valid for one year, is then placed on file with the police department and can be renewed.

So far, so good, but here’s the rub:

According to Grand Rapids police officials, the signed letter allows officers to stop and arrest people for trespassing at the business in question—even while the business is open—whenever the officer thinks the person is on the property without a “legitimate business purpose.” In other words, cops are given unrestricted discretion to decide who does and does not belong on the property of an open business, without ever talking to the business owner or any employee to find out why the person is on the property, how long they’ve been there, and whether the person is welcome on the premises.

Which raises the question: How can Grand Rapids patrol officers possibly know who is and is not a trespasser without first determining whether the business has authorized the person to be there?



grrrrrrr more:
http://www.salon.com/2015/04/15/the_orwellian_police_tactic_that_targets_black_americans_for_simply_existing/

[malaise]

1. You see those private prisons must be filled

and apparently there are folks who love free labor from African-Americans from the days of slavery 1.0.

[dixiegrrrrl]

13. I honestly think the cops are getting some kind of reward for creative arrests

above and beyond their paychecks.
They seem to be very very enthusiastic in harassing as many minorities as possible.

[WinkyDink]

2. Clearly, the GRP are breaking the law. "Trespassing" in a public place of business is not for the

police to decide minus a complaint.

[jwirr]

3. Not much difference between this and the religious freedom bills. Both authorize discrimination.

[rafeh1]

4. amazing the number of cockroaches

amazing the number of cockroaches you find once you lift the mat..

[Octafish]

5. AMWAY owns Grand Rapids

Or the DeVoss and Prince families who own Amway or whatever the scam its called now. As they've owned the town a long time, one can bet their bottom pyramid dollar their rights get preserved in GR.

[BronxBoy]

6. This is an old tactic...

Giulani's NYPD filled the system with bullshit like this. The major difference is that apartment building owners were the partners many of whom were nowhere in close proximity to the buildings they owned. These no trespassing "agreements" were then combined with NYPD raids where they would flood neighborhoods and arrest anyone in or near these buildings under this bullshit rule. And if you think they stopped and asked you if you had a valid reason to be on the premises, guess again. "Show me ID to prove you live here, if not take your ass to central booking". I know people who were visiting family or friends who had to spend a night or two in the system because of this bullshit.

[onethatcares]

11. and that night in the system

got them a fine and a record. which means they will always be harassed into submission.

Our country is truly fucked.

[BronxBoy]

12. Most folks got an ACD

Adjournment in contemplation of dismissal. Be good for 6 months and it goes away.

But it could really fuck with your life on the here and now.

[DeSwiss]

7. Having been previously accosted, I already knew this......

...but it's good to see every American no matter who they are finally seeing how it all works. It means people are waking up. The toughest part is the realization that this is the new form that slavery takes.

- How, you ask? By enslaving ourselves to their system.

K&R

[surrealAmerican]

8. Why would a business owner sign this?

It basically allows the police to harass their customers. That can't be good for business.

[Taitertots]

9. Racist, Statist, Stupid... I'm sure there are plenty of reasons.

1) The customer doesn't know this agreement exists
2) The business owner thinks the police will only hassle {Insert stereotype}
3) Businesses are concerned that they won't receive police assistance if they refuse to cooperate
4) Business owners think the police will not misuse the authority.

[surrealAmerican]

10. I was thinking #3 might be the main reason.

I wonder if even being asked means (to the business owner) that they better sign, or else.