By Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press
Residents of San Mateo County met with authorities from the Police Department and the Sheriff's Office to ask for transparency in the data on arrests, detentions and other security matters in the area, as they consider that they are disproportionate against communities of color.
During a session between organizations, authorities, academics and the general community in the county titled "Policing in San Mateo: Data, Impact and Discussion," county residents expressed their concern about the differential treatment of residents of color, mainly African Americans and Latinos, as opposed to Caucasians, who, they said, are not considered in the same way, and are not catalogued in databases as gang members or criminals.
According to Shara Watkins, trustee of the San Mateo-Foster City School Board, "What's happening nationally regarding the murder of African Americans is also happening in San Mateo County. We can't close our eyes, there are problems and biases in the police system, and it's not going to be easy to eliminate them.
For his part, San Mateo County Sheriff Carlos Bolaños said he is open to suggestions to improve services, as well as to allow the transparency of data from the office he represents. He also assured that in his career he has always conducted himself and made sure that those under his command conduct themselves impartially and in accordance with the law.
"In my 42 years in law enforcement, I have always ensured and pushed to ensure that we treat everyone with dignity and respect, regardless of their race, gender or orientation, or anything else," he stressed.
However, he acknowledged that there are prejudices on the part of the elements of his office, and stressed that, in combating this problem, and to address it effectively, it is necessary to work together with the community.
"We need partnerships with other stakeholders to effectively address this problem. If there is data that we are not getting out, the only way to determine that is through communication."
San Mateo County Police Department Chief Ed Barberini, who has more than 25 years of law enforcement experience, agreed with Sheriff Bolaños, noting that the task of eliminating bias in the security system requires the collaboration of law enforcement, organizations and, above all, the community.
Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center (PCRC) Executive Director Malissa Netane-Jones reminded that the Racial and Identity Profiling Act (RIPA) is coming to San Mateo County.
The purpose of this law is to eliminate racial and identity profiling, as well as to enhance diversity, racial identity, and sensitivity in its application. "That's about to happen."
Both Bolaños and Barberini agreed that one way to change the data on safety is to focus on the youth of the community, building a relationship of trust between both parties from an early age, and that such actions are reinforced at home by parents.
Another proposal, they said, is to maintain a close relationship with immigrant communities in the county, many of whom come from countries where their trust in law enforcement is not high.
"We want to build better communities. It's really about communities getting to know us as just human beings and going out and listening to what their fears and concerns are and trying to address them," Bolaños said.
"I think the juvenile component is important. Our mission here is similar to a public defender, it's to do everything we can to keep youth from entering the criminal justice system," Barberini said.
"We all know what happens when a young person gets involved in the criminal justice system. Sometimes it's very hard. It's a difficult cycle. We work with families in a prevention program where, if there are signs, we can get referrals from officers who develop relationships in the field with families who are concerned about our youth and we offer those resources up," he added.
Experts who participated in the dialogue stressed that the fight for a better justice system, as well as a better law enforcement, must be holistic and comprehensive with programs that involve non-profit organizations, authorities and the community.
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