PENNSYLVANIA’SPENNSYLVANIA’S APPROACH TO DMCAPPROACH TO DMC

““Improving Community/Law Enforcement Improving Community/Law Enforcement Relationships Relationships

Through Through Dialogue Forums”Dialogue Forums”

1111thth Annual DMC Conference: Annual DMC Conference: Law Enforcement Solutions Law Enforcement Solutions for Reducing Racial Disparities & Disproportionate Minority Contact in for Reducing Racial Disparities & Disproportionate Minority Contact in Juvenile Justice Juvenile Justice

September 7-10, 2006 New Orleans, LouisianaSeptember 7-10, 2006 New Orleans, Louisiana

Targeted SitesTargeted Sites::

► Dauphin County: Dauphin County: City of HarrisburgCity of Harrisburg

► Allegheny County: Allegheny County: City of PittsburghCity of Pittsburgh

► Berks County: Berks County: City of ReadingCity of Reading

► Philadelphia County: Philadelphia County: City of PhiladelphiaCity of Philadelphia

PENNSYLVANIA’S APPROACH TO DMCPENNSYLVANIA’S APPROACH TO DMC

““Improving Community/Law Enforcement Improving Community/Law Enforcement Relationships Relationships

Through Through Dialogue Forums”Dialogue Forums”

Arlene PrenticeArlene Prentice

Juvenile Court Consultant Juvenile Court Consultant

Juvenile Court Judges’ CommissionJuvenile Court Judges’ Commission

Dauphin County: Dauphin County: HarrisburgHarrisburg

DAUPHIN COUNTYDAUPHIN COUNTY2004 Population Data – Youth 10-2004 Population Data – Youth 10-

1717 PennsylvaniaPennsylvania *Black – 13.9%*Black – 13.9%

*White – 78.5%*White – 78.5%

Hispanic – 5.4%Hispanic – 5.4%

*Asian – 2.1%*Asian – 2.1%

Dauphin CountyDauphin County *Black – 24.9%*Black – 24.9%

*White – 66.3%*White – 66.3%

Hispanic – 6.5%Hispanic – 6.5%

*Asian – 2.2%*Asian – 2.2%

* Non-Hispanic* Non-Hispanic

STATEWIDESTATEWIDE: : In 2004, Black Non-HispanicIn 2004, Black Non-Hispanic youth represented youth represented 13.9% of the total 13.9% of the total

youthyouth population,population, yet accounted foryet accounted for::

36.9% of all Delinquency Dispositions36.9% of all Delinquency Dispositions

31.1% of Probation Dispositions31.1% of Probation Dispositions

37.5% of Placements (41.6% of secure)37.5% of Placements (41.6% of secure)

41.3% of Transfers to Criminal Court41.3% of Transfers to Criminal Court

DISPROPORTIONATE MINORITY CONTACTDISPROPORTIONATE MINORITY CONTACT

Dauphin CountyDauphin County: 2004 Juvenile Court : 2004 Juvenile Court Delinquency Delinquency

DispositionsDispositions

**BlackBlack **WhiteWhite HispanicHispanic **AsianAsian 56.3%56.3% 31.1% 31.1% 10.5%10.5% 0.0% 0.0%

Dauphin CountyDauphin County: Black Non-Hispanic youth : Black Non-Hispanic youth represent represent 24.9% of the youth population24.9% of the youth population in in 2004, 2004, yet represent 56.3% of all Delinquency yet represent 56.3% of all Delinquency DispositionsDispositions

DISPROPORTIONATE MINORITY CONTACTDISPROPORTIONATE MINORITY CONTACT

Allegheny County: Allegheny County: PittsburghPittsburgh

Kimberly BoothKimberly Booth

Assistant AdministratorAssistant Administrator

Allegheny County Juvenile ProbationAllegheny County Juvenile Probation

Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaPittsburgh, Pennsylvania

2005 Referrals to Allegheny 2005 Referrals to Allegheny County Juvenile Probation = 6,338County Juvenile Probation = 6,338

By Race and GenderBy Race and Gender

MaleMale FemaleFemale1,012 Black1,012 Black 3,204 Black 3,204 Black

1,642 White1,642 White 471 White 471 White

6 Other6 Other 3 Other 3 Other

In 2005, the Detention Center had 1,954 new, In 2005, the Detention Center had 1,954 new,

non-duplicated admissions; non-duplicated admissions; 78% of these 78% of these admissions were African Americans.admissions were African Americans.

Allegheny County has 119 Police Departments; Allegheny County has 119 Police Departments; the the

City of Pittsburgh has the largest in the County.City of Pittsburgh has the largest in the County.

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Referrals by Gender

Male Female

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Referrals by Race

White African American Other

How to Hold a ForumHow to Hold a Forum Our first forum was held on Friday, Our first forum was held on Friday,

November 12, 2004November 12, 2004• 125 Youth125 Youth• 25 Law Enforcement25 Law Enforcement• 20 Adults20 Adults• All in various fields—including our Judge All in various fields—including our Judge

Cheryl AllenCheryl Allen

3 Consecutive Sessions3 Consecutive Sessions• Police and Relationships (roleplays)Police and Relationships (roleplays)• Legal Analysis (survey)Legal Analysis (survey)• VideoVideo• What to do when stopped by police—referred What to do when stopped by police—referred

to as “Good Stop/Bad Stop”to as “Good Stop/Bad Stop”

In general, people fear small groups of black youth who are simply hanging around, laughing and playing rap

music.

Survey Questions

2%

8%

66%

5%2%3%

15%

AA W O U

YES

NO

Survey Questions

It is OK to smoke “blunts” in public because it is not anyone’s business.

12%

2%5%

11%

2%

69%

AA W O U

YES

NO

Survey Questions

It is OK to drive or operate a motor vehicle without it being properly inspected as long as the car runs and is safe.

2%

11%

2%

17%

65%

5%

AA W O U

YES

NO

Survey Questions

The police have always focused their attention on minorities and/or youth.

62%

2% 2%

20%

3%0%

6% 6%

AA W O U

YES

NO

Survey Questions

23%

2%2%5%

54%

6%5%5%

AA W O U

YES

NO

No Answer

It is OK to carry a firearm for safety when I am out in the community.

Berks County: Berks County: ReadingReading

Reading

Yvonne StromanYvonne Stroman

Director of Community Partnership ProgramsDirector of Community Partnership Programs

Community Prevention Partnership of Berks CountyCommunity Prevention Partnership of Berks County

Berks County Historical ContextBerks County Historical Context Located in Southeastern Pennsylvania.Located in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Has geographic areas of urban, suburban and rural areas. Has geographic areas of urban, suburban and rural areas. Situated along known corridors with easy access to Situated along known corridors with easy access to

Philadelphia, New York City, Harrisburg, Baltimore and Philadelphia, New York City, Harrisburg, Baltimore and Washington D.C. – all within 3 hours or less travel time.Washington D.C. – all within 3 hours or less travel time.

Regarded by law enforcement as a thoroughfare for drug Regarded by law enforcement as a thoroughfare for drug trafficking and gangs.trafficking and gangs.

City of Reading is the County Seat of Berks County.City of Reading is the County Seat of Berks County. Has approximately 82,000 residents living in the City.Has approximately 82,000 residents living in the City. Within the last 15 years, Reading has experienced an Within the last 15 years, Reading has experienced an

increasing culturally diverse area with a large and increasing culturally diverse area with a large and growing Hispanic population. 37% of the residents are growing Hispanic population. 37% of the residents are Latino; 12% are African American; 2% Asian American and Latino; 12% are African American; 2% Asian American and 46% White.46% White.

Approximately 70% of the students attending the public Approximately 70% of the students attending the public schools are Latino.schools are Latino.

More Historical ContextMore Historical Context The leadership of the City of Reading is not representative The leadership of the City of Reading is not representative

of the diverse culture.of the diverse culture.

Only 1 out of 7 persons on City Council is a person of Only 1 out of 7 persons on City Council is a person of color.color.

Only 3 out of 9 persons on the Reading School Board are Only 3 out of 9 persons on the Reading School Board are of color.of color.

There are no judges of color serving on the bench.There are no judges of color serving on the bench.

Only 1 out of 5 District Magistrates is a person of color.Only 1 out of 5 District Magistrates is a person of color.

Of the 209 police officers working in the City of Reading, Of the 209 police officers working in the City of Reading, less than 20 are persons of color.less than 20 are persons of color.

The number of persons of color employed in the areas of The number of persons of color employed in the areas of juvenile probation and youth detention centers are low in juvenile probation and youth detention centers are low in proportion to the number of minority youth involved in proportion to the number of minority youth involved in the system.the system.

Reading Forum 2005Reading Forum 2005 Target minority youth, law enforcement, school Target minority youth, law enforcement, school

administration, community leaders, faith based administration, community leaders, faith based leaders, civic groups, attorneys and politicians.leaders, civic groups, attorneys and politicians.

Purpose – To address the relationship that exists Purpose – To address the relationship that exists between minority youth and law enforcement in between minority youth and law enforcement in the City of Reading.the City of Reading.

Format – Panel Discussion, Break Out Sessions, Format – Panel Discussion, Break Out Sessions, strategies and Reporting Back to the large group.strategies and Reporting Back to the large group.

Forum was attended by approximately 125 Forum was attended by approximately 125 persons.persons.

Youth were asked to complete a questionnaire Youth were asked to complete a questionnaire that gave their perspective on certain situations.that gave their perspective on certain situations.

Youth who attended the forum had previous Youth who attended the forum had previous experiences or interactions with law experiences or interactions with law enforcement.enforcement.

Reading Forum 2006Reading Forum 2006 A second forum was conducted due to feedback A second forum was conducted due to feedback

youth gave from the questionnaire.youth gave from the questionnaire.

It was necessary to have a second forum to It was necessary to have a second forum to include parents.include parents.

Community buy-in and collaboration was key for Community buy-in and collaboration was key for the event to take place.the event to take place.

We connected with the schools for information We connected with the schools for information dissemination.dissemination.

We tailored the 2We tailored the 2ndnd Forum to the first one to Forum to the first one to include panel discussion and break out sessions.include panel discussion and break out sessions.

Good and positive dialogue occurred during the Good and positive dialogue occurred during the panel discussion and we did not have the break panel discussion and we did not have the break out sessions.out sessions.

Next StepsNext Steps Continue to have forums or other venues Continue to have forums or other venues

where we can bring youth and law where we can bring youth and law enforcement together.enforcement together.

Include parents and community.Include parents and community.

Work with other entities who seek the Work with other entities who seek the same outcomes.same outcomes.

Community collaboration and buy-in is Community collaboration and buy-in is key to implement strategies.key to implement strategies.

Robert Listenbee, Esq.Robert Listenbee, Esq.Chief of the Juvenile Unit for the Defender Association of Chief of the Juvenile Unit for the Defender Association of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphiaDeputy Sheriff Paris WashingtonDeputy Sheriff Paris Washington

PENNSYLVANIA COMMISSION ON CRIME AND DELINQUENCY(PCCD) DMC SUBCOMMITTEE’S PHILADELPHIA WORKING GROUP

PHILADELPHIA MINORITY YOUTH – LAW ENFORCEMENT RELATIONS POLICY

Who We AreWho We Are

THE PHILADELPHIA WORKING GROUPTHE PHILADELPHIA WORKING GROUP 5 Youth Members5 Youth Members 7 Law Enforcement Officers7 Law Enforcement Officers

Philadelphia Housing Authority PolicePhiladelphia Housing Authority Police Philadelphia Mass Transit PolicePhiladelphia Mass Transit Police Philadelphia Police Philadelphia Police Philadelphia School District PolicePhiladelphia School District Police Philadelphia SheriffPhiladelphia Sheriff

Behavioral Health ConsultantBehavioral Health Consultant Department of Human Services Department of Human Services District AttorneyDistrict Attorney Public DefenderPublic Defender School District RepresentativesSchool District Representatives Juvenile Court RepresentativeJuvenile Court Representative Philadelphia Faith-Based Initiative LeadersPhiladelphia Faith-Based Initiative Leaders The Mayor’s OfficeThe Mayor’s Office Local University Professor & AuthorLocal University Professor & Author

PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia

PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia: : Minority youth were disproportionately charged Minority youth were disproportionately charged

in adult criminal courts. in adult criminal courts. For example, African-For example, African-American youth accounted for approximately 7 American youth accounted for approximately 7 out of 10 felony arrests,out of 10 felony arrests, but represented 8 out but represented 8 out of 10 felony arrests in criminal court.of 10 felony arrests in criminal court.

While 67% of Caucasian youth received a While 67% of Caucasian youth received a sentence of incarceration, sentence of incarceration, 88% of African-88% of African-American youth received a sentence of American youth received a sentence of incarceration.incarceration.

Mission StatementMission StatementWe aim to identify and develop We aim to identify and develop concrete, viable and measurable concrete, viable and measurable strategies that will improve the strategies that will improve the relationship between ethnic relationship between ethnic minority youth and members of minority youth and members of law enforcement.law enforcement.

We believe that improving this We believe that improving this relationship will lead to less relationship will lead to less volatile interaction and the volatile interaction and the cultivation of a spirit of mutual cultivation of a spirit of mutual cooperation that will benefit cooperation that will benefit minority youth, law enforcement minority youth, law enforcement and our entire community.and our entire community.

The The ProblemProblem

““Are police more aggressive because the Are police more aggressive because the youth are confrontational, or are the youth youth are confrontational, or are the youth more confrontational because officers tend more confrontational because officers tend to be more aggressive to minority youth?” to be more aggressive to minority youth?”

~ ~ Philadelphia Youth-Law Enforcement Philadelphia Youth-Law Enforcement Forum November, 2004Forum November, 2004

The FindingsThe Findings

The FINDINGS represent the opinions on Minority Youth– Law Enforcement Relations as expressed by Philadelphia’s youth and law enforcement agents over an 18 month period.  

1.YOUTH WANT MORE RESPECT FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT. 

They do not want law enforcement

officers to assume they are doing

something bad because of theway they are dressed. 

They would like the officers to be

less aggressive in their approach

and they want them to know that

when they pull up to the corner fast

and jump out, the youth often run

because they are scared, notbecause they are guilty.

The FindingsThe Findings

2.2. MANY YOUTH HAVE HADMANY YOUTH HAVE HAD

POSITIVE EXPERIENCESPOSITIVE EXPERIENCES

WITH LAW ENFORCEMENTWITH LAW ENFORCEMENT where officers have givenwhere officers have given them good advice, acted them good advice, acted

asas positive role models and positive role models and

werewere very polite when takingvery polite when taking reports.reports.

The FindingsThe Findings

3.ACCORDING TO YOUTH,ACCORDING TO YOUTH,

LAW ENFORCEMENT LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS MAKE THEM FEELOFFICERS MAKE THEM FEEL UNEASYUNEASY when they are when they are disrespectful; when they do disrespectful; when they do

notnot believe what the youth arebelieve what the youth are saying; when they use theirsaying; when they use their power to mistreat youth; power to mistreat youth;

whenwhen they behave like racists; they behave like racists; oror when they really don’t care when they really don’t care

andand assume that all youth, assume that all youth,

especiallyespecially those in poor communities, those in poor communities,

areare guilty.guilty.

The FindingsThe Findings

4.MANY YOUTH ARE CONCERNED

THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS STOP THEM BECAUSE OF THE CLOTHES THEY WEAR.

For example, youth dressed in dark pants

and white t-shirts feel thatthey are often

“checked” whenever there are near a crime scene. During the winter

months, youth wearing “walrus coats”, which

have many pockets, feel that they are

often stopped and searched by law

enforcement officers because they “look

suspicious”. 

The FindingsThe Findings

5.5.MOST YOUTH DO NOT HAVE MOST YOUTH DO NOT HAVE

A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THEY ARE OF HOW THEY ARE SUPPOSEDSUPPOSED

TO RESPOND WHEN THEY TO RESPOND WHEN THEY ARE STOPPED BY LAWARE STOPPED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERSENFORCEMENT OFFICERS in in schools, on SEPTA trains, on schools, on SEPTA trains, on public housing property and public housing property and onon

the streets of Philadelphia.  the streets of Philadelphia.  

They also do not know how They also do not know how to to

file complaints when they file complaints when they feelfeel

their rights have been their rights have been violated. violated.

The FindingsThe Findings

6. LAW ENFORCEMENT WOULD LIKE YOUTH TO KNOW THAT NOT ALL OF THEM DO BAD THINGS. 

They want youth to have more respect for the law and the officers who enforce it.  They would also like youth to remember that they are people, just like them.  They have families they want to go home to every night.

They want to be respected like normal people. They also want youth to understand that at times they make mistakes.

The FindingsThe Findings

7.7. LAW ENFORCEMENT LAW ENFORCEMENT

OFFICERS ALSO OFFICERS ALSO WANT YOUTH TOWANT YOUTH TO KEEP IN MIND THATKEEP IN MIND THAT THEY HAVE A JOB TOTHEY HAVE A JOB TO DO, AND THEY MUSTDO, AND THEY MUST DO IT. DO IT.

The FindingsThe Findings

8.8. YOUTH MAKE MANY YOUTH MAKE MANY LAWLAW

ENFORCEMENT ENFORCEMENT OFFICERSOFFICERS

FEEL UNEASY FEEL UNEASY by theirby their threatening postures,threatening postures, confrontational attitudesconfrontational attitudes and their failure to and their failure to

respondrespond to the reasonable to the reasonable

demandsdemands of law enforcement—of law enforcement—

suchsuch as: “move off the as: “move off the

corner”,corner”, “ “stop playing cards on stop playing cards on

thethe corner” or “stop rolling corner” or “stop rolling

dicedice on the sidewalks.”on the sidewalks.”

.

The FindingsThe Findings