[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 77 (Wednesday, June 6, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1039]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RACIAL PROFILING EXISTS

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                      HON. JAMES A. TRAFICANT, JR.

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 6, 2001

  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I submit for the Record to document that 
Mr. Beulah is an honest, respected constituent and his letter depicts 
that racial profiling does exist!

                                                          5/24/01.
     To: Chief Jeffery Patterson
     Re: Boardman Police Department; Racial Profiling
       Dear Chief Patterson: My name is Gerald Beulah, Jr. I am an 
     employee of Clear Channel Youngstown; WKBN AM Radio, located 
     at 7461 South Ave. in Boardman. I am the Senior Engineer and 
     Producer of Morning Programming on 570 WKBN AM. I am also an 
     African-American.
       On Wednesday, May 23, 2001, the topic of discussion on 
     ``Mangino in the Morning'' and ``The Dan Ryan Show'' centered 
     around Racial Profiling with regards to the Boardman Police 
     Department being the recent primary instigators thereof.
       Unfortunately, I also was the nucleus of the conversation 
     because of my personal experiences, which were becoming more 
     frequent as I drove into work daily. I felt and commented on 
     the air that I believed I had become the target of such 
     profiling, including the very morning this show aired.
       Quite simply--what happened was I was making a left turn 
     onto Tiffany Blvd. from South Ave. A Patrolman was sitting at 
     the stop sign, preparing to turn onto South Ave. As I passed 
     him, I noticed from the rear view mirror that he had placed 
     his car in reverse, turned around and proceeded to follow me, 
     albeit stealthily. The officer slowly crept along Tiffany 
     Blvd. as I exited my vehicle and walked toward the Clear 
     Channel Complex. He remained in clear view, allowing me to 
     see him watching me and it was only after I had entered into 
     the building that he sped away.
       Unbeknownst to me, Morning Talk Show Host, Robert Mangino 
     was entering the parking lot from the opposite direction, 
     having to pass the patrol car as he entered. He commented 
     when inside, that he had observed the officer's movements 
     pursuant to my own and that it was ``quite funny'' that the 
     officer did not back up to watch him enter the building. Thus 
     our ``on-air'' conversation ensued.
       What I also stated on air--and which is absolute truth--is 
     that in the year and a half that we have occupied this 
     building, I have been ``profiled'' at least four (4) times at 
     this location alone. Twice, an officer stopped me on the 
     grounds of Clear Channel. In February, the officer 
     aggressively approached my vehicle with his car, penning me 
     into the parking space (I guess he anticipated me fleeing--
     however, I had already taken the time to park)--his car 
     lights were flashing and his flashlight was shining squarely 
     in my face. Since I was already in the process of exiting my 
     vehicle, I spoke first--asked what the problem was, only to 
     be asked what I was doing ``here.'' I responded that I worked 
     at this facility and he inquired as to my job description. I 
     told him and he turned off the lights and pulled away, 
     remarking that he thought I was going ``kind of fast back 
     there.''
       I would like to make it perfectly clear, that these 
     incidents have only happened in the early hours of the 
     morning--between 4:40 and 5:00 am--as my shift begins at 5:00 
     am sharp; and only within a few feet of Clear Channel.
       I have never been stopped on South Ave (which is my usual 
     route) for speeding, running a red light, an inoperable 
     taillight, brake light or any other violation.
       Although my family and I live in Youngstown, we shop and 
     dine in Boardman frequently. I admit to being ``followed'' 
     from time to time--but--and your own records should 
     substantiate this--I have never received a ticket--or an 
     official warning from any officer for any reason. I consider 
     myself to be an upstanding member of my community who tries 
     to seek the best in people while making my own contribution 
     to be my best.
       I am in no way a ``Jesse Jackson'' type who looks under 
     every rock for racial injustice--nor do I play ``the race 
     card'' to seek an advantage over others. It's obvious that 
     racism exists--and even though I have experienced my share, I 
     do not let my personal experiences deter me from judging 
     others on their own character and merit.
       In my ``on-air'' comments, I made it very clear that I did 
     not lop the entire Boardman Police Department under ``One 
     Umbrella''--nor did I speak in generalities--only to my 
     specific experiences, which I again state, seem to be 
     occurring more frequently. I also commended one of your 
     officers, I believe his name to be Mike Mullins, who at one 
     time dropped off a book of American History Quotes for me to 
     give to my daughter, who is graduating from Cardinal Mooney 
     this June. Dan Ryan took the liberty to read from this book 
     on the air--so again I have expressed no personal vendetta 
     against your department.
       Since WKBN serves the public trust, and these shows 
     generated a large volume of calls, it was suggested by many 
     that ``something be done.'' Either we call you, specifically 
     for a response, or I file a lawsuit and on and on. What I 
     decided was to send you this correspondence in the hopes that 
     you would keep it on file as an official complaint concerning 
     these incidents. It would be nice to receive a formal apology 
     from you--but I am not demanding it. I leave you to search 
     your own heart before making that decision.
       I trust that this letter alone will suffice to curtail 
     further unfair behavior, towards myself--or any other 
     minority who has expressed similar treatment. Over time, 
     there has been a stigma and slogan related to these 
     experiences common in the Black Community--it's called 
     ``DWB''--Driving While Black. I hope that the Boardman Police 
     would take the initiative in totally destroying such a 
     negative connotation, while simultaneously rebuilding the 
     level of common respect from one human being toward the 
     other. I do understand the difficult nature of your jobs and 
     the dangerous conditions you face daily, however I trust that 
     your professionalism and discipline would shine through in 
     each and every situation.
           Sincerely,

                                         Gerald H. Beulah, Jr.

                                        Clear Channel Youngstown, 
                                                          WKBN AM.

     

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