2008 Woodie Awards
Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 3/23/07 Section: News
Detainment sparks racial profiling claims
College student handcuffed by Penn Police says race was involved; DPS denies charges
Jared Miller and Anne Dobson
The student maintains that he remained calm and orderly throughout the incident.
The student then left the premises and walked east on Walnut Street toward 37th Street when he was approached by police.
Zedan said that police handcuffed the student until officials could determine that he was in fact affiliated with the University and that no one had sustained any injuries as a result of the exchange.
The student was then released from the temporary custody.
Following the incident, minority groups have alleged that the se actions by police and security are "regular occurrences on Penn's campus and must be dealt with immediately."
UMC President and College sophomore Efe Johnson highlighted two unrelated incidents: a 2003 episode in which a black associate faculty master was arrested and pepper-sprayed by police while attempting to deliver donated bicycles to the Quadrangle, and a 2004 incident in which police arrested a black College sophomore because he matched the description of a suspect in a cell phone theft.
After both of those incidents, the University created committees to address racial profiling, especially in regard to interaction between police and black males.
But Johnson said that this most recent incident proves that University efforts to curb such treatment of minorities has been ineffective.
"Clearly, we can see that their reaction in 2004 has not produced any positive and long-term changes," she said. "Obviously, they need to do more."
Provost Ron Daniels said that he wants to open a dialogue with minority groups and "figure out how we can best address" their concerns.
To that end, he is scheduling a meeting with minority leaders for Monday to discuss any problems they have.
As for the incident in question, Daniels said it is too early to determine if any party was at fault.
While many of the facts of the case are in dispute, Zedan said that DPS has reviewed reports from security, the radio calls and evidence from closed-circuit security cameras and determined that police and security both acted properly.
The student then left the premises and walked east on Walnut Street toward 37th Street when he was approached by police.
Zedan said that police handcuffed the student until officials could determine that he was in fact affiliated with the University and that no one had sustained any injuries as a result of the exchange.
The student was then released from the temporary custody.
Following the incident, minority groups have alleged that the se actions by police and security are "regular occurrences on Penn's campus and must be dealt with immediately."
UMC President and College sophomore Efe Johnson highlighted two unrelated incidents: a 2003 episode in which a black associate faculty master was arrested and pepper-sprayed by police while attempting to deliver donated bicycles to the Quadrangle, and a 2004 incident in which police arrested a black College sophomore because he matched the description of a suspect in a cell phone theft.
After both of those incidents, the University created committees to address racial profiling, especially in regard to interaction between police and black males.
But Johnson said that this most recent incident proves that University efforts to curb such treatment of minorities has been ineffective.
"Clearly, we can see that their reaction in 2004 has not produced any positive and long-term changes," she said. "Obviously, they need to do more."
Provost Ron Daniels said that he wants to open a dialogue with minority groups and "figure out how we can best address" their concerns.
To that end, he is scheduling a meeting with minority leaders for Monday to discuss any problems they have.
As for the incident in question, Daniels said it is too early to determine if any party was at fault.
While many of the facts of the case are in dispute, Zedan said that DPS has reviewed reports from security, the radio calls and evidence from closed-circuit security cameras and determined that police and security both acted properly.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 37
Leon
posted 3/23/07 @ 7:42 AM EST
Hey "victimized student" and student groups, why do you think this situation merits the attention it is and will be getting? It ain't worth it! Learn to deal with anger, disappointment and the day to day irritants around you. (Continued…)
Alan Krigman
posted 3/23/07 @ 8:31 AM EST
Penn and its pervasive highly-skilled thoroughly-trained rent-a-cop approach to a "partnership with the community." You don't actually expect professionalism, do you?
Scott
posted 3/23/07 @ 10:07 AM EST
The article did not show discuss what lead up to the differences with the secruity guard. I would imagine that a security guard has the obligation to ask and examine any Penn card of anyone entering the facility. (Continued…)
alum
posted 3/23/07 @ 10:14 AM EST
the minority community will continue to make slow progress towards true acceptance and equality so long as certain individuals like this constantly allege discrimination. (Continued…)
Don't stop me
posted 3/23/07 @ 11:26 AM EST
As a black man on campus I feel that all available alternatives should be exhausted before any authority figure stops me for anything. Because of past behavior by the white majority I am owed this. (Continued…)
Student
posted 3/23/07 @ 11:33 AM EST
The security supervisor (apparently erroneously) called this into police as a fight in progress, which is why the student was detained. Race had nothing to do w/ it. (Continued…)
parent
posted 3/23/07 @ 11:34 AM EST
IF the investigation determines that security acted within reasonable and legitimate bounds of its mission, and that this particular student was "testing" the system, then he does a disservice to everyone in the community. (Continued…)
Penn '05
posted 3/23/07 @ 1:04 PM EST
When I was a student at Penn two years ago I was denied entrance to Hunstman Hall via Walnut Street several times when it was after hours. I am a white female. (Continued…)
teacher
posted 3/23/07 @ 1:05 PM EST
It is extraordinary to see the willingness of educated people to give up their rights ("The fact of the matter is, in our society police can stop you for whatever they want if there's a doubt of suspicion. (Continued…)
Penn Alum
posted 3/23/07 @ 4:15 PM EST
Teacher, I hope my kids are never in your classroom. You are incredibly idealistic.
Anyway, I agree with the people above me who have said that 1) this kid was unnecessarily difficult. (Continued…)
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