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RACIST BEHAVIOR IS GOING UNPUNISHED

For nearly two years, on alternate Sunday afternoons, I have been attending a "Community Dialogue on Race." Led by Deborah Capraro until she left the Keys, it is now convened by Jerome Fain.

Over many months of talking together, it has become clear that a major problem in our community is the arbitrary behavior of our law enforcement officers toward city and county citizens, especially people of color.  Racist behavior has gone unpunished, or has been punished only lightly in the sheriff's office, and the Key West police have too often behaved with grave discourtesy toward residents of Bahama Village.

At the listening session of the Citizen Review Board at Douglass Gym Nutrition Center on Sept.  8, several of us were appalled to learn that police, without probable cause, often stop Bahama Village residents simply to ask them what they are doing in their own neighborhood -- and, much worse, have come without warrants to search their homes.

No wonder we are in need of a strong CRB.  In addition, all of us need to learn our rights against arbitrary search and seizure.  We need to learn the correct way to assert those rights without arousing police brutality and without having to fear reprisals.  We need to support and educate each other to find the courage to resist injustice.

All of you are welcome to join us in the dialogue.  If you would like to be on our e-mail list, or would like to know the location of the next meeting, please contact Jerome Fain at fainj@bellsouth.net

Anne Shaver, Key West