Dedicated to the Movement and Upliftment of the Black People of Boston VOLUME 1. NO. 2 CRIMINAL JUSTICE

CRIMINAL INJUSTICE?

CRIMINAL JUST-US?

RACIAL PROFILING

PAMPERS TO PRISON

SCHOOLS TO PRISON

RAIL TO JAIL

CRIMINALIZATION OF THE YOUTH cover graphic by: Jake Leidolf, Pen & Sword Political Pirates WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE "SAFE HOMES" INITIATIVE? efforts of public schools, branch guns" out of homes. futures. libraries and community groups All people have the right 3. It is unlikely to be to unlock "the vast potential of to feel and be safe in their effective, based on existing evi- Boston's children" and decrease homes and neighborhoods. We dence. youth violence. have no doubt that this program 4. It could be counterpro- But we have serious con- is well intentioned and rises out ductive in public safety terms, cerns about another program of the urgent goal of reducing the undermining relations of trust WHAT IS WRONG aimed at youth that has been put violence that exists in our City. which must be cultivated if "com- WITH THE "SAFE forward by the Mayor and But "Safe Homes" is an munity policing" is to be suc- HOMES" INITIATIVE? Boston Police Department: the effort at a "quick fix" solution that cessful. “Safe Homes” initiative involving could do more harm than good. In his State of the City "no warrant" searches. We oppose this program on the 1. It conflicts with the fundamen- address on January 15, 2008, The BDP says the pro- following grounds: tal constitutional right to be free Mayor Thomas Menino pro- gram will send a team of at least from unreasonable government posed funding a new three police officers door-to-door 1. It conflicts with the fun- searches. "Community Learning" program in certain city neighborhoods, damental constitutional right to that would help ensure that possibly with members of the be free from unreasonable gov- In a free society, police young people in Boston have clergy, who will ask for consent ernment searches. generally need a warrant before productive futures. The to search the bedrooms of young 2. It exposes families to searching a home, and a warrant American Union of people. The searches will be potentially serious negative con- must be based on probable Massachusetts (ACLUM) com- conducted in response to com- sequences, and could deprive cause to believe a crime has mends his vision of uniting the munity tips in order to get "illegal young people of productive been committed and that evi- ACLU continued to pg. 4

The Blackstonian represents Black Boston, centrally Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan but really all through the other burroughs and suburbs to wherever Black people are found in our extended midst. Our definition of Black is very inclusive, in Boston we have a lot of Brothers and Sisters from all over the Globe... Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Cape Verde, Africa, Trinidad, wherever.... in our eyes you are all Black People and we are all family here in Boston aka The Bean. Roxbury . Dorchester . Mattapan . Hyde Park . South End . Jamaica Plain . Roslindale . Randolph . Cambridge . Brockton . Lawrence . Lynn . Worcester . New Bedford . East Boston . BLACKSTONIAN | SPECIAL EDITION | PAGE 01 | SPRING 2008 | BLACKSTONIAN.COM BAD IDEA?? BOSTON POLICE SAFE HOMES INITIATIVE will also be equipped with tape Menino have stated that Police’s meth- recorders which they will use to thisSafe Homes Initiative is to ods have been audio record a parent/guardian “get guns out of the hands of questioned by experts such as: giving verbal consent to a youth” We all can agree that our Prof. James Alan Fox, search. The Boston Police have youth do not need handguns to Criminalogist Northeastern The Boston Police Safe assured that the parent/guardian committ random violence in our University, Prof. Hillary Farber, Homes Initiative is a plan may refuse the search altogeth- community. Isn’t it already the Criminal Justice Professor, which will have a hand picked er or, if consent is given, the job of the Boston Police to keep Northeastern University, group of Boston Police Officers search can be confined to a par- our streets free of drugs and National Lawyers Guild of MA, going unannounced to homes in ticular area, as small as a box guns? The current epidemic we MASS Innocence Project, Lisa 4 targeted neighborhoods which or a single drawer and that the are facing is an indication of the Thurau-Gray, Juvenile Justice have been termed as “hot spots” parent or guardian may termi- failure of the Boston Police Center, Suffolk University Law for crime and violence. These nate the search at any time Department’s efforts to reduce School, Carol Rose, Executive officers will go to homes of once it has begun. drugs and guns and violence. Director, ACLU, Amy Reichbach, youth who they believe “may” be After such a failure, Racial Justice Advocate, ACLU, in possession of a firearm based should the community Sarah Wunsch, Staff Attorney, on anonymous tips and/or some assign more power to ACLU. other criteria that has been the same Deapartment loosely and vaguely defined. that has already shown Additionally, there is not one Officers will knock on the door itself either unwilling or Black Elected Official who is in and ask to speak to the parent incapable of dealing support of the Safe Homes or legal guardian. Officers will with the problem. Iniitative. The only support for tell the parent/guardian that they Should the community willingly the program that can be docu- would like them to waive their Question: How do you stop a give up its rights and place blind mented comes from a few legal rights and consent to a search that you have already faith in a system that has cur- Clergy Members and Religious search of their home without a consented to with both a signed rently and historically failed us? Leaders who already have a warrant. legal document and an audio well-established relationship If a parent/guardian gives their recording of verbal consent? There are many problems with with Mayor Menino and the consent to a search and agrees Once you waive your rights, the Safe Homes Initiative and Boston Police Department. to waive their rights, Boston they are gone. Whenever you many voices have raised con- Police will be on hand with a waive your rights, you give them cerns about the plan. Thus far -J. Crawford consent form for parents to sign up and you can “wave” your experts in the related fields of Editor, Blackstonian with checkpoints that you will be rights goodbye. criminal justice, law, civil rights National Minister of Information asked to initial before signing at have all vocalized potential Boston Chapter Chairman the bottom. The Boston Police The Boston Police and Mayor problems and the Boston New

implementation of this plan, including the AN OPEN LETTER TO THE BPD...... consent form and the protocol for police from Lisa Thurau-Gray, action, especially as regards the promise not Suffolk University Law School Juvenile Justice Center to arrest any members of the household or Deputy Superintendent Gary French implementation of this program and we look the teen. All advocates celebrate the goal of Anthony Braga forward to a positive collaboration in consid- this program—reducing guns on the streets Boston Police Department ering the pro’s and con’s. of Boston. 1 Schroeder Place Boston, MA 02120 Like you, we are concerned at the toll guns As promised, you will find below a list of the Dear Deputy Superintendent French and Mr. are taking on Boston’s youth and are anxious major legal concerns raised by groups Braga: to stop the violence. We also recognize that involved in the analysis and legal defense of the balancing act necessary for keeping juveniles as well as civil rights and civil liber- On behalf of the Juvenile Justice communities safe from guns while protecting ties of Boston’s citizens. Center of Suffolk University Law School, I their civil liberties is an increasingly tricky thank you for inviting us to share our con- tightrope to walk. This letter does not address the post-search cerns about the proposed Consent-to- service components of the program which Search plan to suppress gun use among After our preliminary discussion, I offered to will hopefully be substantive. We anticipate juveniles. We greatly appreciate your investigate my colleagues’ legal concerns that some youth will feel betrayed by their respectful inclusion of us as you consider about issues that are likely to arise from the parents and this may provoke other family dynamics Open Letter continued to pg. 4 Lack of a Parent-Child Privilege and its Relationship to the Safe Homes Program from Prof. Hillary Farber Northeastern University College of Criminal Justice, National Lawyers Guild-MA Chapter necting with parents who may be living with tions will be used. The Safe Homes A number of issues have at risk youth. This is in large part why the Program offers immunity from prosecution been raised about the Safe program is being implemented in coopera- related to illegal possession in the event a Homes Program from the tion with the school police unit. According to gun is found, but the unannounced visits will unannounced police pres- reports of a similar program in St. Louis in undoubtedly reveal information from parents ence to the inherently coer- the mid 1990’s, the police had almost 100% and guardians well beyond the specifics of cive nature of the request compliance from parents. the sought after firearm. Safe Homes tar- for permission to search a gets specific neighborhoods thought to be child’s bedroom. The What has not been previously discussed is rife with youth who are “behind gang activi- Initiative is billed as multi-purpose: eradicat- how information that police gather from par- ty.” Unannounced nighttime visits by police ing the escalating gun violence in our Boston ents and other household members con- officers will entail more than “soft searches” neighborhoods while simultaneously con- cerning their child’s activities and associa- but also Parent-Child continued to pg. 5

BLACKSTONIAN | SPECIAL EDITION | PAGE 02 | SPRING 2008 | BLACKSTONIAN.COM Redirecting tion programs, repeatedly sus- convergence of ill-conceived pended, expelled and even policies and practices permeat- the School to arrested for relatively minor ing both educational and juve- Prison Pipeline offenses, held back in grade, nile justice systems, and by the banished to alternative schools, failure of these two systems to before they finally drop or are work together to improve the The School to Prison Pipeline pushed out of school, thus life chances of at-risk youths. describes the tragic journey tripling the likelihood that they Fortunately, these ineffective that begins in segregated, will spend time in prison. and costly policies can be dis- impoverished schools and ends mantled and replaced with in juvenile halls and adults pris- The School to Prison pipeline interventions and programs ons for far too many children of is derailing individual lives, aimed, first, at keeping more color. Youths traveling through devastating families and com- at-risk youths in school this pipeline are frequently munities, and threatening our through, at a minimum, com- taught by unqualified teachers nation's economic future. Yet, pletion of high school, and, in overcrowded, dilapidated preliminary research indicates second, at helping those who facilities, forced to endure sub- that jail is not the inevitable have dropped out or been sent standard curriculum, tested on destiny for children trapped to juvenile halls to successfully material they were never within this pipeline. Rather, re-enter communities and taught, removed to separate their journey through the schools. and inadequate special educa- pipeline is accelerated by the REDIRECTING THE SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE - TAMI WILSON

Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race & Justice - Harvard Law School 125 Mount Auburn Street, 3rd Floor Cambridge, MA 02138-5765

Tel: 617.495.8285 Fax: 617.496.1406 Email: [email protected] www.charleshamiltonhouston.org

Eli Pabon will be coordinating the petitions - please let her know where you will be collect- ing signatures: [email protected]. Petitions are due by March 12- send to: YWA, 31 Lenox Street, Boston 02118

SIGN THE PETITION..... Help us create a truly safe community for Boston's youth! The YWA is calling on the Boston Police Department to end the 'Safe Homes' Initiative. -Sandy, for the YWA Advocacy Committee While we support the goals - getting guns off the streets and keeping our young people safe South End/Lower Roxbury - we believe this program will not accomplish Youth Workers’ Alliance those goals, and will instead create other prob- 31 Lenox Street Boston, MA 02118 lems for young people and their families. We 617-442-9800 are currently circulating a petition - we need www.youthworkersalliance.org the support of everyone in the YWA who agrees with this position to help us collect sig- Please call for the petition, natures. We are seeking signatures from youth, and take it to meetings, events, youth workers, and all community members. your neighbors, and co-workers.

BOSTON POLICE ther instructions on how to file your appeal. CIVILIAN REVIEW BOARD Community Ombudsman The Panel will also be reviewing a ran- Oversight Panel (CO-OP) dom sample of not sustained, exonerated or http://www.cityofboston.gov/POLICE/CO-OP/ unfounded cases that have not been appealed by complainants. This external oversight of The Community Ombudsman Oversight cases will help ensure that current Internal Panel is a three person independent civilian Investigation practices are fair, thorough and board appointed by the Mayor that is empow- complete even when an appeal is not filed. Not ered to review Boston Police Department sustained, exonerated, or unfounded cases Internal Investigations cases appealed by com- involving allegations of serious misconduct or plainants. unjustified use of force will also be reviewed by the Panel at the discretion of the Department. Cases eligible for appeal include those with a finding of not sustained, exonerated or If you have not yet filed a complaint with unfounded that you feel were not fairly and/or the Internal Affairs Division of the Boston Police thoroughly investigated. You must file your Department, you may do do online at: appeal in writing within fourteen (14) calendar www.cityofboston.gov/police/complaint days of the date on the Notice of Finding from the Boston Police Internal Investigations Unit. Members of the CO-OP include: Ruth Suber, MA Parole Board (ret’d.) Please refer to the Community Prof. David Hall, Northeastern University Ombudsman Oversight Panel Brochure for fur- John O’Brian, Dean NE School of Law

BLACKSTONIAN | SPECIAL EDITION | PAGE 03 | SPRING 2008 | BLACKSTONIAN.COM QUOTES ON ACLU continued from pg. 1 ly that many people will give consent to a dence of that crime will be found in the place search without knowing the possible conse- THE SAFE to be searched. The warrant requirement quences, some of which could be extremely HOMES can be waived if the person whose rights are harmful to families. at stake gives consent that is knowing and INITIATIVE voluntary. The consent on which the Safe 2. It exposes families to potentially serious Homes program appears to rest is unlikely to negative consequences be either knowing or genuinely voluntary. “Currently, the BMA has taken a position of Even assuming that language is not a The Boston police will not ensure that neutrality on the Safe Homes Initiative. barrier to understanding, few people are residents really understand that the This could change in the future, but this is able to say no when confronted at their door following are among the possible conse- the current, official position.” by three police officers and possibly a mem- quences if they consent to a search: -from an email dated 2/6/08 ber of the clergy. Consent to search under -Rev. David Wright, Executive Director, these circumstances is unlikely to be truly • Arrests may be made of someone Black Ministerial Alliance of Greater Boston voluntary. who lives in the home, relating to weapons, The "Consent to Search and Seize" drug possession, or possession of other form that police will present at the door for items. the resident's signature may further confuse • These arrests could lead to federal and intimidate people, who have expressed prosecution, which often carries a longer "My belief is there are minis- fears that there will be retaliation against prison sentence without the possibility of ters that will do it as part of them if they refuse to allow the police to con- parole. their ministry because they duct a search. Statements by the police that • Any arrest may also carry immigra- want to make sure police they will not retaliate do little to ensure that tion consequences, up to and including don't overstep their bound- consent is not the result of this kind of fear, deportation if an individual is found guilty of aries," said the Rev. David especially at a time when fears associated a deportable offense. Wright, executive director of with law enforcement on the doorstep have • The family may lose its home in pub- the Black Ministerial Alliance, been inflamed by immigrant raids in various lic housing, depending on information whose board has not decided Boston neighborhoods. obtained during a search of the home. whether to endorse the program. "And I And who will be asked to give permis- • Information gained in the course of think that's a valid point." sion for a search? The law does not allow a the search may lead to the filing of a “51A -Rev. David Wright, Executive Director, third party to consent to a warrantless report” with the Department of Social Black Ministerial Alliance of Greater Boston search. If a parent is not at home and the Services alleging abuse or neglect. Boston Now 2/9/08 door is answered by another relative, or • Students may be suspended or someone who is not a family member, such expelled from school based on the results of as a baby sitter, the police have given no a search of the home and information guarantee that they will not request permis- obtained there. The police state that they will sion to enter and search the home. not automatically share the information that Jorge Martinez, executive The police have been vague about they have found firearms in a youth’s home director of Grove Hall advo- what they will do with information obtained or with his school. But the BPD has not prom- cates Project Right, Inc. said items seized during a search, making it like- ACLU continued to pg. 5 he had concerns about Safe Homes. "Right now, we are not going Open Letter continued from pg. 2 to participate," he said. that will need attention. For the purposes of tenants and family members. "[Boston Police] is a govern- this letter, we focus only on legal issues that The consent agreement and the descriptive ment agency, and allowing may render the program unconstitutional, document permits officers to bring charges people coming into your house when harm youths’ educational opportunities, and against residents for significant amounts of you're not educated enough about civil question the circumscription of the program contraband. It is unclear if this would be for rights is a problem." to juveniles. contraband seen anywhere on the premises, Boston Now 11/21/07 in the juvenile’s room, or hidden in the home. I have divided the concerns into the following This aspect of the program is likely to be net- categories: tlesome in instances where a resident has Boston Police spokes- hidden contraband from other residents in a woman Elaine Driscoll said Issues Regarding Community’s Trust in home; the risk to parents of being charged the program is scheduled Police: for such contraband may chill the success of to begin this week While we are pleased that officers under the the recovery of guns. At the very least, clari- Boston Now 2/3/08 supervision of Deputy Superintendent fication as to what constitutes “significant” French would be entrusted with this delicate amounts of contraband would be needed. duty, community advocates who are not As a group, we believe that the Internal familiar with Deputy Superintendent French Affairs Division of the Boston Police ACLU Racial Justice Advocate Amy have uniformly stated their concern that this Department is neither responsive nor sup- Reichbach called for more information allocation of power to officers would result in portive of community complaints. If citizens about a plan targeting "primarily minority abuse. The specific points of concern are: felt that they had been coerced or harmed in neighborhoods." A person facing two officers, even in plain- any manner from such searches, there Boston Now 11/21/07 clothes, appearing at her door with hearsay would be no immediate or effective means of evidence about the presence of a gun in the remedying the harm and preventing its possession of a juvenile living in the home, recurrence. may not feel empowered to just say no. Suggestions: There is strong concern that this approach * Involve community members in train- is coercive and will lead to consents that are ing and/or discussions of how police officers deemed invalid due to what a court would should approach homeowners. perceive is the coercive nature of the * Develop a transparent, widely publi- request. In short, the voluntariness of the ************************************************* cized protocol for complaints about treat- consent may be subject to legal challenge. Department of Social Services (DSS) ment in this program that is separate from Advocates are also concerned that parents’ Legal Department: “Foster parents can IAD and involves members of the targeted and tenants’ refusal to sign the consent form not consent to warrant-less searches by communities in the investigation and review will lead to reprisals by police, housing offi- the police of the room of a child/teen in process. cials or community members. DSS care or custody” * Set up meetings at monthly intervals Advocates suggested that consent forms, if ************************************************ to ascertain resistance to search issues and used, should be read aloud to Open Letter continued to pg. 11

BLACKSTONIAN | SPECIAL EDITION | PAGE 04 | SPRING 2008 | BLACKSTONIAN.COM ACLU continued from pg. 4 charges, the youth may be suspended from MORE QUOTES... ised to keep the information confidential and school pending resolution of the charges All of this sounds like slippery territory has said that they will inform school authori- against him if the principal determines that according to James Alan Fox, a criminal jus- ties if they believe it is in the interest of pub- his continued presence in school would tice professor at Northeastern University. He lic safety to do so. Nothing has been said have a substantial detrimental effect on the recommended blanket amnesty for all indi- about the sharing of information through general welfare of the school. By the time a viduals found with guns - similar to Boston's Juvenile Justice Roundtable meetings, youth is found innocent of the charges, he previous gun buyback programs. "This where it would be communicated to school may have missed months of school, making opens the situation for parents, in a well- administrators, police officers, the district it difficult for even the most motivated stu- meaning way, to invite police into their attorney and other participants. There are no dent to complete his work successfully. If he homes with the potential for a found gun to assurances that a child will not be pushed is convicted or admits guilt as part of a plea result in prosecution," he said. "At that point out of school as a direct or indirect result of and the principal makes a similar determina- the cops will be adversaries. Whose side the search. tion regarding the effect of his presence in are you on, then?" • If a school police officer is aware school, he may be expelled. Boston Now 11/21/07 that drugs, or a knife, or something suggest- • The program is likely to exacerbate ing "gang affiliation" was found in a youth’s the dual problems of overrepresentation of home and he shares that information with a youth of color in the juvenile justice system, school administrator, that administrator may and the funneling of young people out of the assert that she has the requisite reasonable Boston Public Schools and into the suspicion to search that youth every day Department of Youth Services. Unless when he comes to school. Even if nothing is Boston Police are willing and able to guaran- found, a child who is searched every day tee that "no warrant" searches will not lead Starting this week, police are ready to begin may become alienated from school, increas- to school exclusion or disciplinary transfers, going door to door, seeking to search ing the risk that he or she may eventually parents should be informed of these possi- teenagers' bedrooms for guns as part of the drop out of school. According to a recent ble consequences when asked for consent controversial Safe Homes Initiative. When study by the Parthenon Group, Boston's to enter their homes. officers knock, families need to think careful- dropout rate is dismal, with 1,900 students ly about what they say, said Northeastern dropping out in the 2005-6 academic year 3. It is unlikely to be effective, based on criminal justice and law professor Hillary B. and a further 1,900 students "almost certain existing evidence. Farber. to drop out," because they have fallen Anything they say could get them into trou- behind in school. The BPD states that it has modeled ble, she said. • If a firearm discovered as a result of its "consent to search" program on the St. "In Massachusetts ... there's no parent-child a "no warrant" search is linked to a crime Louis Firearm Suppression Program (FSP) privilege, which means that communication with which the youth is charged or if anything under which police would respond to reports between parents and their kids, and actual else found in the home leads to felony observations made ... in the familial setting - ACLU continued to pg. 12 that kind of information can be compelled by the government," Farber said. Parent-Child continued from pg. 2 The Safe Homes Program is designed to get Boston Now 2/3/08 conversations between parents, as well as guns off the streets. If the St. Louis experi- other household members, and police about ence is any indication, it will have some suc- matters related to the child’s whereabouts, cess. The more difficult question is whether compliance with household rules, school the costs associated with this Initiative are attendance, undesirable personal relation- worth the gain. In determining the answer to ships and other intimate details. But for the this question, police need to be cognizant of presence of police in one’s home with assur- the myriad of challenges they face in sub- ances of immunity, such candor and detail stantiating their credibility and trustworthi- “Notably, the concerns we raise do not sim- with authorities would likely not be so forth- ness with the communities impacted by the ply affect the youth we serve or the commu- coming. Safe Homes Program. As well intentioned nities we represent; they also pose substan- as this Program may seem on its face, it is tial legal risks to the Boston Police Despite the promise of immunity as it relates inevitable that families will be negatively Department. Our concerns are broad and to the recovery of a firearm, any information impacted both internally and externally by its deep enough that it is difficult to imagine police obtain from parents, and other house- implementation. Whether it involves threats how the program could succeed given the hold members, is not protected by any com- to familial security based upon perceived need for acceptance by the mon law or statutory privilege. Unlike the cooperation with police or distrust among legal service community.” spousal privilege or doctor-patient privilege, family members, these are collateral conse- which is recognized in most states, quences that must be given formidable Lisa Thurau-Gray, Suffolk Massachusetts, along with over two thirds of weight in the decision whether to proceed University Law School – states, does not recognize a privilege with the Safe Homes Program. Juvenile Justice Center between parent and child that would shield a parent from being forced to testify against Hillary B. Farber is an assistant profes- his/her child. Since the immunity guarantee sor in the College of Criminal Justice and a "I was so against it," said M.C. Spice, pro- under the Safe Homes Program only relates visiting assistant professor in the School of gram director of the station, located in to an illegal possession of firearms charge, Law at Northeastern University. She also Grove Hall. "But the fact that he (Dept. any other information gathered during a Safe serves on the Board of the Suffolk Lawyers Supt. Gary French) came in here and he Homes visit that leads to the prosecution for for Justice and the National Lawyers Guild, was a person - he wasn't in there with direct a separate offense leaves open the possibil- Massachusetts chapter. orders: 'Hey we're the Gestapo and we're ity that parents of the accused could be com- going to go in.' He said his point with pas- pelled to testify to statements the child made sion and conviction. He cared about the to them, as well as observations made by youth." the parent in their familial setting. -Boston Globe 2/9/08 Compelled testimony may also include infor- mation that incriminates one of their chil- “I support the "Safe Home" Initiative” – from dren’s friends based upon knowledge par- an email dated 2/9/08 ents gain from speaking to their own children after a gun is recovered. The potential for M.C. Spice, host of "The Big Morning Thing" misunderstanding and mistrust in the eyes of at Touch 106.1 FM parents should this possibility result is enor- mous.

BLACKSTONIAN | SPECIAL EDITION | PAGE 05 | SPRING 2008 | BLACKSTONIAN.COM MORE QUOTES... 14th Amendment to the Police gun searches raise concern United States Constitution Letter to the Editor, Boston Globe February 13, 2008 Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in BOSTON RESIDENTS are right to be con- the United States, and subject to the jurisdic- cerned about the proposed Boston Police tion thereof, are citizens of the United States "Safe Homes" program ("Police set to and of the State wherein they reside. No search for guns at homes," City & Region, State shall make or enforce any law which Feb. 9). While the American Civil Liberties shall abridge the privileges or immunities of Union joins in widespread community sup- citizens of the United States; nor shall any port for stopping gun violence, we cannot State deprive any person of life, liberty, or condone warrantless searching of people's property, without due process of law; nor homes. If Boston residents open their doors deny to any person within its jurisdiction the to the police under this program, they may equal protection of the laws. be subject to prosecution if a gun found in the home is linked to a crime or if police find drugs or anything else illegal. Anything police find may also lead to school disci- TARGET AREAS of PROPOSED pline, including expulsion, and may be SAFE HOMES INITIATIVE reported to the Department of Social Services and Boston housing authorities. Egleston Square which has been described The ACLU has urged the Police Department as a Latino Community to agree to immunity from prosecution for Grove Hall which has been described as a items found in people's homes during these Black Community searches. We also are working with commu- Bowdoin St./Geneva Ave. which has been nity groups and individuals concerned that described as a Cape Verdean Community their rights may be violated by the plan. Franklin Hill/Franklin Field which has been Boston residents have the right to say no described as a Black Community when the police come to their door without a warrant. And when they do, the police should leave. CAROL ROSE MASSACHUSETTS LEGAL DEFINITION Executive Director ACLU of Massachusetts OF RACIAL PROFILING The statute in Massachusetts defines racial profiling as the practice of detaining a suspect based on a broad set of criteria which casts suspicion on an entire class of people without any individualized sus- picion of the particular person being stopped. An Act Providing for the Collection of Data Relative to Traffic Stops (Section 1, Chapter 228 of the Acts “Everybody knows this program stinks to of 2000). high heaven,” City Councilor Chuck Turner told The Final Call. “There are too many Editor’s Note: This statute only applies to traffic issues with police improprieties in Boston, stops, but the legal definition of racial profiling here such as brutality and shake downs, to could easily compare to the racial profiling of an believe the program would be conducted entire community and the criminalization of Black, properly. Latino and Cape Verdean youth. “The BPD has already admitted they cannot stop the drugs and the gang violence. It’s The BLACKSTONIAN time politicians begin to stand up and speak www.blackstonian.com truth to the situation,” Mr. Turner continued. 617-755-6463 “There are 11,000 young people, ages 16 to 24 in Boston out of work, three-fourths peo- The Blackstonian is a ple of color. If you don’t have any economy, community service of... you don’t have any peace,” he said. NBPP-Boston Final Call January 28, 2008 www.nbpp-boston.com Prophets or Non-Profit www.p4np.org Prophecy Communications www.prophecycommunica- Bro. Don Muhammad, of Muhammad tions.com Mosque No. 11, said the police accountabili- ty is an important part of the program. Publisher/Editor: “When they first announced the program the Jamarhl Crawford community was totally against it. There were Youth Director: many calls to the mosque asking our input,” Jesse B. Winfrey he told The Final Call. “The community is Creative Director: sensitive to the issue of who is considered Jake Leidolf to be reputable in this,” he added. Consultants: Community organizations and leaders will Carlos A. Henriquez, Cornell go to homes when police are called, he Mills, Zerakyah Israel, explained. The community will have input Vernon Robinson, Hazael throughout the process, Mr. Muhammad emphatically stated. Final Call January 28, 2008

BLACKSTONIAN | SPECIAL EDITION | PAGE 06 | SPRING 2008 | BLACKSTONIAN.COM November 21, 2007 PEW REPORT Marquis Barker, 38 yrs. old Father of Five, Suffolk County Jail Officer - Nashua 18 yrs. 1 in 100: Behind **5th Fatal Shooting since 2002 Bars in America *Mentally Ill Person 2008

Three decades of growth in October 3, 2005 America’s prison population Stanley Seney, 25 yrs. old has quietly nudged the nation across a sobering threshold: for the first time, July 2, 2004 more than one in every 100 Luis Gonzalez, 57 yrs. old adults is now confined in an *Mentally Ill Person American jail or prison. **Detective Danny Keeler Involved According to figures gath- ered and analyzed by the Pew Public Safety Performance Project, the number of people behind June 27, 2004 bars in the United States Bert W. Bowen, 40 yrs. old continued to climb in 2007, saddling cash-strapped states with soaring costs they can ill afford and failing to have a clear impact either September 25, 2002 on recidivism or overall Eveline Barros-Cepeda, 20 yrs. old crime.

For some groups, the incar- ceration numbers are espe- cially startling. While one in 30 men between the ages of July 15, 2002 20 and 34 is behind bars, for Daniel Furtado, 59 yrs. old black males in that age *Mentally Ill Person group the figure is one in nine.

July 2, 2002 Gender adds another dimen- LaVeta Jackson, 36 yrs. old sion to the picture. Men still *Mentally Ill Person are roughly 10 times more likely to be in jail or prison, May 2002 but the female population is Nelson Santiago burgeoning at a far brisker pace. For black women in February 12, 2002 their mid- to late-30s, the Willie L. Murray jr., 37 yrs. old incarceration rate also has *1st time since 1991 a BPD Officer was charged with wrongful shooting. hit the 1-in-100 mark. Growing older, meanwhile, July 15, 2001 continues to have a dramatic Rene Romain, 19 yrs. old chilling effect on criminal May 29, 2001 behavior. Jose Pineda While one in every 53 people December 27, 2000 in their 20s is behind bars, Ricky Bodden, 29 yrs. old the rate for those over 55 falls to one in 837.

Complete Report November 27, 2000 available at: Carlos M. Garcia

March 24, 1994 www. Rev. Accelyne Williams, 75 yrs. old pewcenteronthestates .org

January 31, 1988 Donald Johnson *BPD shot and killed 5 suspects of non-violent crimes in 1988; 4 out of 5 suspects were Black 1981 Levi Hart, 14 yrs. old

January 1975 James Bowden *Made into 1986 movie “A Case of Deadly Force” THESE PEOPLE WERE KILLED BY POLICE www.BLACKSTONIAN.com BLACKSTONIAN | SPECIAL EDITION | PAGE 07 | SPRING 2008 | BLACKSTONIAN.COM STATISTICS YOU SHOULD KNOW... 1. 62% of Black homes are headed by a female. make in earnings. * In Boston 86% of white students graduate high school, only 76% of blacks and 55% of 2. 67% of Black children are born out of wed- 24. Blacks hold only 10% of U.S. jobs and are Latinos do. lock. dramatically under-represented in many profes- * In Boston, the unemployment rate for Black sions. We are 3% of all lawyers, 3% of all doc- men is 42%. 3. There are more Black men in the prisons and tors, and 1% of architects. jails than there are in college. Source: U.S. Census Bureau 25. White males with a high school diploma earn 4. 1 in 3 Black men age 20-29 is in prison, on just as much as Black males with a college 38.3 million parole, or on probation. degree. The estimated number of U.S. residents who were black or black in combination with one or 5. 43% of all Black children live below the pover- 26. Blacks are rejected twice as often for small more other races as of July 1, 2002. This race ty line. A figure identical to the day Dr. King was business loans as whites of comparable credit. group then made up 13.3% of the total popula- assassinated some 40 years ago. tion. 27. Nearly 65% of Black children in 4th grade 6. Blacks represent 30% of America's poor, com- can't read, compared to 29% of white children. Education pared to 27% for Latinos, and 11% for whites even though Blacks comprise only 12% of the 28. Only 15% of Black high school seniors are 79% population. 'proficient' readers, while 52% have 'below basic' Among blacks age 25 and over, the proportion reading skills. that had at least a high school diploma in 2002. 7. Blacks, who comprise only 12% of the popula- For blacks ages 25 to 29, the proportion is con- tion, account for 12% of all drug users, 35% of 29. Black children are 3 times more likely that siderably higher: 87%. all arrests for drug possession, 55% of all con- white children to be labeled mentally retarded. victions on these charges, and 74% of those 17% sentenced to prison for possession. 30. Blacks are 2.5 times more likely to be placed Among blacks age 25 and over, the proportion in remedial classes. And even when Black chil- that had a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2002, 8. Between 1980-1999, incarceration rates for dren show potential equal to or above that of up a full percentage point from the previous Blacks more than tripled from 1,156 per 100,000 whites, they are 40% less likely to be placed in year. to 3,620 per 100,000. This is 4 times the rate of advanced classes. incarceration of Blacks in S. Africa during the 1.1 million era. 31. 32% of all suspended students are Black. Among blacks age 25 and over, the number who had an advanced degree in 2002 (e.g., master’s 9. The Black male homicide rate is 7 times the 32. The high school drop-out rate approaches Ph.D., M.D. or J.D.). white male homicide rate. 50% in some inner-city communities. $2.5 million 10. Black males represent 6% of the U.S. popu- 33. 60% of the total Black population lives in Estimated work life earnings for full-time, year- lation, but 44% of the prison population. communities with one or more uncontrolled toxic round, black workers with an advanced degree. waste sites. For blacks, more education means higher career 11. Black women are 18 times more likely to be earnings: those without a high school diploma raped than white women. 34. Blacks have a 60% higher diabetes-related would earn less than $1 million during their work mortality rate than whites and suffer 30% higher life, increasing to $1.0 million for workers with a 12. The rate of imprisonment of Black women is cardiovascular mortality, 25% higher cancer mor- high school education and $1.7 million for those 8 times that of white women. tality(including breast cancer). Blacks with with a bachelor’s degree. prostate cancer are 2-3 times more likely to die 13. 54% of children under age 13 with AIDS are than whites. Black men have the highest Serving Our Nation Black. prostate cancer rate in the world. Blacks with lung cancer were 24% more likely to die within 5 2.6 million 14. Black babies are twice as likely as white years than whites. The death rate of middle- Number of black military veterans in the United babies to die before their first birthday. aged to elderly Black women from coronary States in 2000. heart disease is more than 70% higher than that 15. Black infant mortality rates are higher than of white women. Median Income of Households many "Third World" countries. 35. Blacks who suffer a stroke have a 95% high- $29,177 16. 1 in 7 Black babies is born with low birth- er death rate than whites-----75% higher for The annual median income in 2002 of house- weight which makes them 40 times more likely Black women. holds with householders who reported only black to die than white babies. or black in combination with one or more other 36. Blacks in particular, receive outdated or far races. 17. Blacks have twice as many strokes as less aggressive treatment, even when thei condi- whites. tion and health insurance are identical to those 23.9% of whites. Doctors are less likely to perform high- Poverty rate in 2002 for those reporting black, 18. 90% of Black women suffer complications tech, diagnostic procedures on Blacks and less regardless of whether they reported any other during pregnancy. A rate 3 times higher than likely to go to extreme measures to keep them race or races. white women. alive if they go into cardiac arrest on the table. Whites are 2/3 more likely to receive kidney Families 19. The Justice Department estimates that 1 out transplants than others. When hospitalized for of every 21 Black men can expect to be mur- pneumonia, whites are more likely to receive African-American Population by Region dered; a rate double that of U.S. soldiers in intensive care than Blacks are. 25% of Blacks WW11. A young Black male in America is more have no health insurance. Cities with Highest Percentage of African likely to die from gunfire than was any soldier in Americans the Vietnam war. 37. The median net worth of Black households is one one-tenth of that of white households - Interracial Married Couples 20. 49% of Blacks and 74% of whites own their $11,800 for Blacks compared to $118,000 for homes. Blacks were 210% more likely than whites. 8.8 million whites of comparable credit to be rejected for Number of black families. Of these, nearly one- mortgage loans. The facts speak for themselves. half (48%) are married-couple families.

21. Black adult unemployment has remained * In Massachusetts, Blacks are 5.4% of the Among black married-couple families, 33% con- twice as high as white unemployment for ore population, 26.4% of incarcerated adults. Latinos sist of two members, and 20% consist of five or than 30 years. are 6.8% of the population, 26.2% of incarcerat- more members. ed adults 22. Black women make 83% of what white * In Massachusetts, Blacks and Latinos are 9% women make in earnings. 12.2% of the population. Only 5% of state sena- Proportion of black children who live in their tors and representatives are Black or Latino and grandparents’ household. This is the highest rate 23. Black men make 67% of what white men 0% of congressmen. for any race or ethnic group.

BLACKSTONIAN | SPECIAL EDITION | PAGE 08 | SPRING 2008 | BLACKSTONIAN.COM STATISTICS YOU SHOULD KNOW... (continued) 48% 216,000 The proportion of black household- The number of blacks added to 68% Among black women, 36% work in ers who own their own home. Florida’s population between Estimated proportion of Orleans technical, sales, and administrative Census Day, April 1, 2000, and Parish, La., residents who were support jobs and about 27% each Population Distribution July 1, 2002, which led all states. black as of July 1, 2002. Among in managerial and professional Georgia, which added 97,000 counties with a minimum total pop- specialty jobs and in service occu- Nation blacks, was the runner-up. When it ulation of 100,000, Orleans has the pations. comes to percentage increase, highest percentage of blacks. A 1.2 million Idaho led all states with a 24% pair of jurisdictions in Maryland— There are about 41,000 employed The size of the increase in the increase in its black population city and Prince George’s black physicians, 91,000 engi- black population between Census over the same period. County—followed closely, at 66 neers, and 43,000 lawyers. Day, April 1, 2000, and July 1, percent each. 2002. The rate of increase for this 37% Over 64% of African American group was 3.3%, higher than the The estimated proportion of 50,100 women work outside the home. overall increase of 2.5% for the Mississippi’s population that was Number of blacks added to the population as a whole. black as of July 1, 2002, the high- population of Broward County, Fla., There are more than 400,000 est percentage of any state in the between Census Day, April 1, African American women-owned 55% nation. Louisiana (33%), South 2000, and July 1, 2002, easily the businesses that are generating an The proportion of blacks who live in Carolina (30%), Georgia and highest total of any county in the annual $25 billion in salaries and the South. Maryland (29 %), and Alabama nation. When it comes to percent- over a quarter million jobs. (27%) followed. The District of age increase of blacks, Forsyth, 2 Columbia, classified as a state Ga., led all counties with an 88% African American women are For every black person who moved equivalent by the Census Bureau, increase. (These statements apply reported to have an estimated out of the South from 1995 to has a population that is 61% black. only to counties with a minimum $400 billion in buying power! 2000, the number of blacks who total population of 100,000.) moved there from the nation’s 130,000 The 2000 Census data indicates other regions. Conversely, each of Total number of blacks added to Age Distribution that the “minority” population of the other regions experienced a Georgia’s population through net Boston is now in the majority. net outmigration of blacks over the migration during the five-year peri- 32% Blacks, (including multiracial) have same period. od prior to the last census. Georgia Proportion of the black population a population of 158,479 (28% of led all states, followed by North under 18 as of July 1, 2002. At the the population) and Latinos have 52% Carolina, Florida, Maryland, and other end of the spectrum, 8% of a population of 85,089 (14.4% of The proportion of blacks who live in Texas. (Totals for North Carolina the black population were 65 or the population). The combined the central city of a metropolitan and Florida are not statistically dif- over. population of Blacks and Latinos in area. ferent from each other.) Boston Jobs is larger than the total population of States Counties For black men, the most common Worcester (population 204,000) occupational category is operator, and the total population of 3.6 million 1.4 million fabricator and laborer; 28% of them Springfield Estimated black population of New The estimated number of people in are employed in jobs that come (population 152,082). York on July 1, 2002, the highest of Cook County, Ill., on July 1, 2002, under this heading. About 19% any state. Four other states had who were black. Cook leads all the each work in three other occupa- black populations that surpassed 2 nation’s counties in this category. tional categories: technical, sales million: Florida, California, Texas, Los Angeles, Calif., and Kings and administrative support jobs; and Georgia. (Brooklyn), N.Y., also had black service occupations; and manageri- populations exceeding 1 million. al and professional specialty jobs.

The Boston Police's Operation Safe Homes is less an effort Targeting the Youth to reduce gun-violence than a method implemented to incarcerate and incriminate Black and Latino youth. If the city was really con- cerned for the lives of our youth, it would crack down on those who Why is it that during a tragedy, blame is bring guns and drugs into our impoverished Black and Latino com- placed on all parties but the one responsible? munities. The blame cannot be placed upon youth who grow up in In the hysteria that followed the 9-11 attacks areas where guns and crack are more readily available than jobs on the twin towers in New York City, Muslims and a good education. As I stated in one of my songs, "They take all in the United States who had absolutely noth- the funding back, then give us guns and crack." ing to do with the attacks were demonized and constitutional rights were compromised in There has long been a history of the criminalization of Black the name of "safety" with the introduction of photo: Taniya Delva Youth, especially by the Police here in Boston. It is something I've the USA PATRIOT Act. experienced personally growing up, as well as many of my peers. Racial profiling is rampant and police harassment goes on a lot The same is happening here in Boston as the increasingly more than people realize. destructive phenomenon of Black on Black violence meets response from the Boston Police with the Safe Homes Initiative. In The Safe Homes initiative suggests, if nothing else, that this case, it is Black, Latino, and Cape Verdean youth who are being Black, Latino and Cape Verdean youth are at fault for what is going made the villain and blamed for a crisis we are not responsible for. on and that parents have no other choice but to allow the police into Parents are being asked to waive their rights because police believe their house to search their child's home. It is scary to think that some their child is in possession of a firearm. In the meantime, guns and have even come out in support of such a program given its obvious- drugs continue to flow into the community, with no one addressing if-not-stated intent. the real problems. -- J. Winfrey

www.poettube.org A Place for Poets, Poetry, and More... "Like youtube and Myspace on Steroids, of course with Poetically Inclined in Mind." Poettube.org supplies local artists, with exposure to the Poppa B's Restaurant 1100 Blue Hill Avenue Dorchester, MA 02124 Wide World of Internet Marketing. Phone: (617) 825-0700 Fax: (617) 825-0702 www.poppab.com BLACKSTONIAN | SPECIAL EDITION | PAGE 09 | SPRING 2008 | BLACKSTONIAN.COM BOSTON STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS We are in a better position than ELECTED OFFICIALS ever before to create change...

Harold W. Clarke Commissioner GOVERNOR DEVAL PATRICK MA Department of Corrections State House Room 360 Boston, MA 02133 Telephone: 617.725.4005 888.870.7770 (in state) Fax: 617.727.9725 *1st Black Gov. of Mass *2nd Black Governor in US

STATE SENATOR DIANNE WILKERSON Andrea Cabral State House Room 312-C Boston, MA 02133 Sheriff Telephone: (617) 722-1673 Fax: (617) 722-1079 Suffolk County E-Mail Address: [email protected] 21st Century Black MA Conference www.21blackma.org

STATE REPRESENTATIVE BYRON RUSHING Dr. J. Keith Motley State House Room 481 Boston, MA 02133 Chancellor Telephone: (617) 722-2180 Fax: (617) 722-2881 UMASS Boston E-Mail: [email protected]

STATE REPRESENTATIVE GLORIA L. FOX State House Room 167 Boston, MA 02133 Dr. Terrence A. Gomes Telephone: (617) 722-2810 Fax: (617) 722-2846 President E-Mail: [email protected] Roxbury Community College

STATE REPRESENTATIVE MARIE P. ST. FLEUR State House Room 238 Boston, MA 02133 Telephone: (617) 722-2380 Dr. Carol R. Johnson Email: [email protected] Superintendent Boston Public Schools STATE REPRESENTATIVE LINDA DORCENA FORRY State House Room 236 Boston, MA 02133 Telephone: (617) 722-2430 E-Mail: [email protected] Darnell Williams President/CEO STATE REPRESENTATIVE WILLIE MAE ALLEN Urban League of Eastern State House Room 443 Boston, MA 02133 Massachusetts Telephone: (617) 722-2460 Fax: (617) 722-2353 E-Mail: [email protected]

Sandra B. Henriquez CITY OF BOSTON Administrator/CEO Boston Housing Authority ELECTED OFFICIALS

CITY COUNCILOR CHARLES YANCEY 5th Floor, 1 City Hall Square Boston, MA 02201-1255 Telephone: 617.635.3131 Fax: 617.635.4203 E-mail: [email protected] HONORABLE MENTION AT-LARGE CITY COUNCILOR CHUCK TURNER CITY COUNCILOR 5th Floor, 1 City Hall Square Boston, MA 02201-1255 SAM YOON Telephone: 617.635.3510 Fax: 617.635.3734 Sam Yoon was elected to the E-mail: [email protected] Boston City Council in November 2005, making history as the first Asian American ever to run for FELIX ARROYO elected office in Boston. *Boston's 1st Latino City Councilor www.FelixArroyo.com 5th Floor 1 City Hall Square NOTE: Sadly Councilor Arroyo was not re-elected but he has Boston, MA 02201-1255 pledged to continue his activist/advocacy efforts... Tel: 617.635.4217 Fax: 617.635.4203 E-mail: [email protected] www.BLACKSTONIAN.com BLACKSTONIAN | SPECIAL EDITION | PAGE 10 | SPRING 2008 | BLACKSTONIAN.COM MORE QUOTES... Open Letter continued from pg. 4 any consequences of such searches. Concerns with How Homes are Chosen: Advocates raised concerns about the Police plan to search for Issues Regarding Collateral Consequences risk that BPD’s searches could lead to weapons in four Dorchester to Youth from Searches & Recovery of vendetta-like or retaliatory information shar- and Roxbury neighborhoods Guns: ing by members of the community. Is there by late February or early Some of the most compelling con- a process in place to weigh claims, check March. cerns about the consent to search program sources, track and distinguish between Boston Globe 2/9/08 are the risks of collateral consequences to “good” and “bad” sources? teens in public school. The majority of teens report that the primary reason they carry Why Just Juveniles? guns is for protection. While we recognize that there is increased circulation of guns among Rev. Wayne Daley, of the Boston Ten Point younger and younger teens, we note that Program, told The Final Call Safe Homes is In view of how many youth report being the predominant age of victims and defen- “a positive program.” There has been a lot frightened when walking in their own neigh- dants in Boston appears to be over the age of demand for the police department to get borhoods or going to school, how many of 17, and therefore, not involving juveniles. guns off the streets, he said. “Just take a youth wish for adult protection but lack it, the By focusing this program only on juveniles look at some of the things that are happen- treatment of youth who possess a gun must we are concerned that the most negative ing with our young people having these be nuanced. We are concerned that the , and not always the most accu- guns,” Rev. Daley noted. “We need to be simple claim of gun possession, as opposed rate, views of youth will be solidified. We responsible as a community, and the police to the reason for gun possession, will blind also wonder if it would be in the department has committed to transparency; school authorities and impel them to remove Department’s interest in reducing gun so we need to be part of this program. We such youth. crimes to increase the scope of this program just have to hold them accountable.” to recover more guns. Since it is the School Police Unit conducting Because Massachusetts’ collection the searches, no doubt in part due to infor- of data on crime is at present, inadequate, mation gleaned from school officials, the we cursorily reviewed FBI data on the two likelihood that search results would be age groups of most concern, youth under 18 Final Call January 28, 2008 shared with school officials concerns us and young people aged 18 to 25, the largest greatly. In particular: number of gun offenses is among the older We are concerned that recovery of a gun youth, not those under 17. would lead to circulation of the information ******* to principals who could then decide to sus- Notably, the concerns we raise do not pend or expel youth for posing a danger to simply affect the youth we serve or the com- other youth, under Ch. 71 sec. 37H1/2. This munities we represent; they also pose sub- is of especial concern in view of a) the stantial legal risks to the Boston Police importance of education and b) teens are Department. Our concerns are broad and not entitled to legal representation to ensure deep enough that it is difficult to imagine they have every possible chance of obtain- how the program could succeed given the ing their education. need for acceptance by the legal service Would the recovery of a gun or even the community. information that community members believe the youth has a gun result in school We look forward to discussing these officials and school police officers perceiv- concerns with you in greater detail and ing this information as reasonable suspicion appreciate your invitation to Wednesday’s to subject the youth to daily searches? meeting. We remain committed to finding a Would the need to search and the fruits of way to navigate the Scylla and Charybdis of such a search be reported to the juvenile community safety and the fourth amend- justice community based roundtables? ment.

If the answer to these questions is yes, or Very truly yours, even “maybe”, we would need to advise our clients’ parents not to consent to the search- Lisa H. Thurau-Gray es for risk of losing youths’ access to public education opportunities.

Similarly, if information is obtained by landlords or the Boston Housing Authority that a gun was recovered, it would likely lead to eviction as currently, arrests tend to lead to evictions of Boston Housing Authority youth, prior to adjudication. For JUVENILE JUSTICE CENTER the reasons noted above, including the Suffolk University Law School dearth of housing attorneys, we are con- Clinical Programs cerned that the consequences of this effort Address: 45 Bromfield Street, 7th Floor, would further destabilize families, albeit in Boston, MA 02108 the service of safety. (617) 305- 3200; Fax: (617) 451-2641

COMING SOON... SUMMER 08 GET ORGANIZED TAKE RESPONSIBILTY SAVE THE BABIES... The Peoples Pledge | The Code | Community Contract 10,000 Strong continued to pg. 12

BLACKSTONIAN | SPECIAL EDITION | PAGE 11 | SPRING 2008 | BLACKSTONIAN.COM ACLU continued from pg. 5 American church leaders who Violence produced by the David ceptions of legitimacy are essen- from neighbors or a request from were supposed to counsel par- and Lucile Packard Foundation tial building blocks for effective a parent by visiting a home and ents and young people. Both the (Volume 12 – Number 2, community policing, initiatives asking to search for weapons proportion of those granting of Summer/fall 2002). that threaten to undermine them belonging to juveniles. consent (50%) and the number In this publication, Jeffrey and that could well set neighbor In the first phase of the of guns seized (29) were dramat- Fagan, a professor of law and against neighbor should not be FSP program (1994-1996), adult ically lower in phase three than public health at Columbia undertaken by the Boston Police residents were given a "Consent they had been in phase one of University Law School writes as Department. to Search and Seize" form to the program. follows about the St. Louis initia- sign and assurances that there The NIJ Research Report tive: would be no criminal prosecu- spells out the problems inherent "First, the level of per- ACLU RECOMMENDATIONS tions if illegal guns were found. in the St. Louis program: at vari- ceived coerciveness in these sit- FOR REMOVING GUNS FROM According to a National ous stages it was undermined by uations is unclear. How volun- HOMES Institute of Justice (NIJ) uncommitted leadership, officer tary is 'consent' when police offi- Research Report, Reducing Gun resistance, program isolation, cers arrive at the door and ask * Blanket immunity should be Violence: The St. Louis Consent- the lack of community support, permission to search the part of any "Safe Homes" pro- to-Search Program, (November the lack of training, its inherent home?... Second, security and gram. 2004), the program was never fragility, the absence of follow up, control may not directly increase adequately evaluated. However, the possibility of police acting on when neighbors are encouraged * To ensure that consent to although phase one records poor or inaccurate information. to 'snitch' on each other. Police- search is indeed voluntary, police were lost, anecdotal evidence The lesson the BDP citizen interactions differ when a visits to homes should be infor- suggests that "in its first year of should take from St. Louis is that parent invites the police to a mational only. Police officers can operation, the program enjoyed the program was only successful home, compared to when a citi- explain the program either direct- spectacular success," with a in obtaining significant numbers zen refers police to a neighbor's ly or through leaflets, and ask reported 98 percent of those of guns when arrest and prose- home. The latter situation does parents to call them back if they approached consenting to be cution were off the table (phase little to knit social ties among would like them to conduct a searched and guns found in half one). This will not be the case in neighbors and may lead to coun- search. of the homes that were Boston, where only "limited terproductive scenarios in which searched, amounting to 510 in immunity" is promised for unlaw- neighbors accuse each other * Police could hold training ses- all. The program was temporarily ful gun possession, but criminal falsely or fail to come to each sions that parents could attend if suspended after the police chief charges may be brought if a other's aid when crimes occur they want to know how to safely responsible for it resigned. seized weapon is linked to a nearby" (Future of Children, search their homes for guns. In its second nine-month crime. page 145). phase, FSP consent searches This makes it likely that If the police believe par- * Priority should be given to took a back seat to the use of "Safe Homes" will be as lacking ents genuinely want the kind of methods that have had a meas- search warrants and arrests in solid results as the St. Louis help offered by the police search- ure of success in the past - such when guns were found. Gone program appeared to be in its ing a young person’s bedroom or as gun drop off and buy back was the promise that there would second and third phases. entire home, they could publicize programs. According to the be no prosecutions. With very a phone number where the par- Boston Indicators Project, 1,000 few guns found, the program 4. It could be counterproductive ent can voluntarily call after hav- weapons were recovered in the was discontinued in 1998. in public safety terms ing had a chance to think about "no questions asked" buy back In 1999 it was re-intro- it, instead of forcing residents to program initiated in the summer duced with federal funding. The Additional problems with be confronted by three police of 2006. original consent-to-search form the St. Louis program were high- officers at their doorstep, asking was restored, and police acted in lighted in The Future of Children: to come in and search. partnership with African- Children, Youth and Gun Because trust and per-

10,000 Strong continued from pg. 11 first and not be swayed by Money, Grants, Racial Profiling, Disparate Sentencing, We agree that no children can be the tar- Politics, Religion, Position, the Media, the Framing, Crooked Cops, False gets of violence in our community. Mayor, etc. All leadership must immediately Imprisonment, , Police We call for an end to all violence drop all special interests and focus on the Murder of Black, Latino & Cape Verdean against children, sexual molestation, physi- salvation and safety of our children. People. WE DEMAND JUSTICE. cal abuse, etc. We call for a citywide Truce on all Gang We demand that the Media present a fair We agree that we can no longer commit Warfare, Street Beefs and Feuds. End the and accurate account of our community and violence against each other. We cannot senseless Violence and acts of aggression People. We demand an end to sensational- continue to shoot each other. towards your own people. ized media and further demand a balanced Black on Black Crime, Youth We also encourage other Metro Areas portrayal of our community to present pro- Violence, Gang Warfare Brockton, Lawrence, Lynn, Worcester, files of our positive alternatives in Black, Latino and Cape Verdean Springfield, etc. to call for an immediate end Academics, Arts and Culture. We demand People killing Black, Latino and Cape to violence. an end to the use of terms such as “ani- Verdean People. We have all lost someone. mals” or the labeling of our youth as “thugs” Enough is Enough. Do it for the babies. We agree that we can no longer allow our- “gangstas” or the labeling of our communi- selves to fill up the prisons and courtrooms ties as “drug zones” or “hot spots” or other We agree that the Elderly cannot be targets throughout Massa-Chusetts. If you are code terminology that seeks to deflect the of violence. involved in illegal activity, strive to get your real problems and scare the community. We must protect our elderly. Our life straight. Develop an exit plan. We are senior citizens are our Parents, well aware that the Police and Courtrooms We also demand that local radio stations Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles and Jails are more than ready and adopt a “Balance Campaign” and cease equipped to make room for us all. and desist on playing and promoting music We agree that women cannot be the targets and personalities that degrade and demean of violence. our women, promote violence and the use We must protect our women against We demand that the Police and other “Law and sale of drugs and guns. rape, domestic violence and abuse Enforcement” entities live up to their appointed duty to uphold the Laws that pro- We call for an end to unsafe zones in our We call on all leadership, clergy, politicians, tect & serve the PEOPLE. community where there are very public dis- etc. to be directly accountable and respon- We demand that the Police, the Courts, plays of open Prostitution and Drug Use. sible to the PEOPLE. Probation, Parole, District Attorney, US This unsafe and unhealthy behavior can no All leadership must put the people Attorney work to bring an immediate end to 10,000 Strong continued to pg. 14

BLACKSTONIAN | SPECIAL EDITION | PAGE 12 | SPRING 2008 | BLACKSTONIAN.COM Get Involved with the Movement A Letter From Jim Brown, to change CORI Laws!!! Amer-I-Can Program CEO

The challenge of achieving our full potential is compelling. This life-management skills training program is designed to empower us to do just that--to enable us to take responsibility for our own self-determination.

Union of Minority Neighborhoods The beauty of the Amer-I-Can Program is that it is applicable to all people, as it transcends race, age, gender, religion, and socio-eco- nomic status. *My belief is that teaching and sharing the program concepts related to self-esteem could significantly impact the problems our society faces today. *I feel that the Amer-I-Can Program is, in many ways, a missing link Horace Small, Executive Director that empowers those exempted from power and participation in the Union of Minority Neighborhoods mainstream. Email: [email protected] *We believe in and work effectively with those whom society disre- gards, contending that it is never too late to attain a full, meaningful Jackie Lageson, Director of Programs life. Union of Minority Neighborhoods *We in the Amer-I-Can Program are willing and capable of working Email: [email protected] with and enhancing any individual or organization that is motivated to effect positive change. Our practice is neither to condemn nor conde- 83 Highland Street, Roxbury, MA 02119 scend. 2 Harris Ave, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 *Completing the Amer-I-Can Program will change one's life and help him or her to become a contributor to a better community and ulti- Phone: 617-541-4111 or 617-522-3349 mately, a better nation. Fax: 617-522-3351 www.amer-i-can.org www.unionofminorityneighborhoods.org

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City Life/Vida Urbana 284 Amory Street Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 Mailing address: Box 300107 Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 Ph: 617.524.3541 Fx: 617.524.3555 [email protected] www.clvu.org

BLACKSTONIAN | SPECIAL EDITION | PAGE 13 | SPRING 2008 | BLACKSTONIAN.COM 10,000 Strong continued from pg. 12 longer be tolerated it is not Boston Latin quality education. good for our women, children and elders. We call for a community cleanup of We call for an immediate end to economic warfare on the commu- Dudley Station – No more drug activity, prostitution. nity. We demand an end to predatory lending, disparities in busi- Blue Hill Avenue (from Dudley St. – Brunswick) No more drug ness and home loans, malevolent merchants who do bad business activity, prostitution. in our community. City and State violations (Parking, Street Grove Hall, Codman Sq., Uphams Corner, Humboldt Ave., Elm Hill Cleaning, Towing, Snow Plowing, Trash, High Tax rates) which are NO MORE ROBBERIES heaped out on our community without equal city/state services. NO MORE RANDOM ACTS OF VIOLENCE. We are killing ourselves.

We demand that the Boston Public School System, immediately develop new curriculums which educate each of our children equal- ly. We demand that there be implemented new academic stan- dards and practices to promote excellence in our schools. We demand a “Truth-Based” curriculum that is culturally accurate and incorporates a true Black/African History, Latino History, and an updated and true American History. Furthermore a cross the board standard should be developed for high schools in order to prepare our children for higher education. Every child in Boston deserves a

BloodSkinLand presents... VERBALIZATION

Boston’s Longest Running Open Mic Spot

Every Last Thursday 7:00 - 9:30 pm

@Museum of the NCAAA 300 Walnut Ave. Roxbury, MA 02119

free to the public. all ages. spoken word poetry. rhymes. song. music.

Last Thursdays March 27th April 25th May 29th June 26th

for more info: VCR 617-480-7663 [email protected]

www.blacklawyersforjustice.org (202) 397-4577 Atty. Malik Zulu Shabazz, Founder [email protected]

HELP for Black Males www.ace-ej.org U-MASS Boston [email protected] 100 Morrissey Blvd. 617-442-3343 Boston, MA 02125 2181 Washington St. Ph. 617.287.7138 Boston, MA 02119

BLACKSTONIAN | SPECIAL EDITION | PAGE 14 | SPRING 2008 | BLACKSTONIAN.COM Before you go Here... BOSTON CHAPTER www.nbpp-boston.com Meetings every Fri. 6:30-8:30 617-755-6463 www.newblackpanther.com

Come Hear....

Bro. True-See Allah Director of FOI

Muhammad’s Mosque #11 617-442-0488 Grove Hall, Roxbury Get the latest www.noiboston.org New Black Panther Newspaper newblackpanther.com

massindustrycommittee.com

FOR THE BEST OF BOSTON’S HIP-HOP SCENE... CHECK OUT THESE TWO WEBSITES FOR EVENTS, ARTISTS, MESSAGEBOARDS AND MORE....

Are you tired of Hip-Hop that promotes Guns, Drugs, Violence, and disrespects Women? Conscious Hip-Hop. Revolutionary Hip-Hop. Change the Game. Support Hip-Hop that makes sense. Prof. Griff | NYOIL | X-CLAN | Wise Intelligent | UNO The Prophet www.hip-hop4blackunity.org repdabean.com

Books by Jamarhl Crawford NEW!!! 2nd Book PROPHECY: Exemption & Redemption Poetry, Essays & Interviews (2008) $15.00

1st Book PROPHECY: Reflections on Life & Love from a Black Perspective Poetry, Essays & Short Stories (1996) $10.00

available direct from Prophecy Communications www.mastermerchant.biz also available (US & Canada): Amazon.com, Barnes & Nobles, Borders

BLACKSTONIAN | SPECIAL EDITION | PAGE 15 | SPRING 2008 | BLACKSTONIAN.COM YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS... 4 THE YOUTH..... They Doing Good in the Hood...

Louis D. Brown Peace Institute 1452 Dorchester Avenue 2nd Floor Dorchester, MA 02122 Phone: (617) 825-1917 Fax: (617) 265-2278 Bobby Mendes Peace Legacy www.louisdbrownpeaceinstitute.org 65 East Cottage Street Dorchester, MA 02125 Email: [email protected] Youth Workers' Alliance www.touchablestories.org/BMPLMAIN.htm

31 Lenox St. Boston, MA 02118 www.teenempowerment.org Tel: 617-442-9800 48 Rutland St. Boston, MA 02118 Fax: 617-442-9811 Ph: 617-536-4266 Fax: 617-536-4311 EGLESTON SQUARE SITE: www.youthworkersalliance.org 2020 Columbus Ave. Rox. MA 02119 617-442-4684 George R. Greenidge, Jr. Executive Director Project HIP-HOP 2201 Washington St. Boston, MA 02119 2181 Washington St. Ste. 315 P.O. Box 191453 Boston, MA 02119 Roxbury, MA 02119 Ph: 617.442.8045 617.594.6745 www.projecthiphop.org www.nbcalliance.org

Office located at the Freedom House 1446 Dorchester Avenue, Ste. 292 Dorchester, MA 02122-1343 617.442.2355 [email protected] www.reflectandstrengthen.org www.younggiftedblack.org

www.voicesofliberation.org

Professor Griff of Legendary Revolutionary Hip- Hop group Public Enemy, lost his extensive library and collection of research due to a fire. The Blackstonian is collecting donations and books/dvds to replace his loss. Our thoughts are with Prof. Griff...

please send all donations to: Professor Griff give back c/o Blackstonian PO Box 192135 Roxbury, MA 02119 NYOIL is the newest and truest addi- tion to our revolutionary Hip-Hop family. For Hip-Hop without the poison check NYOIL. Classic Hip-Hop that makes sense.

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BLACKSTONIAN | SPECIAL EDITION | PAGE 16 | SPRING 2008 | BLACKSTONIAN.COM