Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/54832
COMMUNITY NEWS a STAFF REPORT The Fayetteville Police Department (FPD) has received a letter from the Department of Justice (DOJ) in response to the City's invitation to evaluate the FPD's policies, procedures, and practices. The Dec. 7, 2010 letter from the City Manager's Offi ce to the DOJ was sent in light of allegations of racially biased policing. Correspondence from the DOJ, dated Jan. 30, 2012, states that after careful consideration of the City's invitation to assess the patterns and practices of the FPD in regards to traffi c stops and allegations of racially biased policing, they will not be opening an investigation of the FPD at this time. In the letter from the DOJ, it is acknowledged that the disparity in the numbers of African-Americans searched compared to the number of African-Americans stopped could suggest discrimination. The letter goes on to say that notwithstanding the concerns raised by the data, the City of Fayetteville and the FPD have taken steps to respond to concerns about biased based policing. The FPD has contacted the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program of the DOJ and requested their technical assistance and training. The FPD has also initiated efforts to pursue programs and grants available through the COPS program. The FPD and the City also continue to cooperate and work with the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) as they conduct their assessment of the FPD. Some additional steps that have been taken by the FPD to address concerns of racially biased policing include: mandatory DOJ training for all offi cers; amending existing policies to both enhance supervisory review of traffi c and warning citations, as well as require police offi cers to articulate at least one reasonable factor before asking for a consent search; updating and distributing to police offi cers a quick reference card listing factors of reasonable suspicion; presenting a live demonstration of crime mapping to show and explain how "hot-spot" policing can account for statistical disparity; and the improvements made in expanding opportunities and educating the public as to how to fi le a complaint, in person, over the phone, via email, or anonymously. Members of the Fayetteville Police Department and the City of Fayetteville have met with members of the community, concerned citizens, and other stakeholders to address and discuss concerns. Environmental Services to Survey Residents The City of Fayetteville Environmental Services Department is inviting city residents to complete an online survey that will help the department to provide improve the quality of service. It's easy and quick to do: go to the City's website, www.cityoffayetteville.org and click on the blue Can It! button near the top of the homepage. The survey will be available until March 30. The survey will get citizens' opinions about household trash, yard waste and recycling pickup services and allow them to share concerns. Questions about the survey can be directed to Jackie Tuckey at 433-1854 or send email to jtuckey@ci.fay.nc.us. For information or questions about services or to schedule a service, please call 433-1329 or use our 24-hour work order request at www.1FAY.com. COMMUNITY NEWS Dept. of Justice Declines Invitation to Investigate FPD Basketball Is Here! Thank You To Our Sponsors for a successful February 2012 Ronald Reagan Day Dinner Fayetteville Republican Women's Club The Cumberland County GOP Board Up & Coming Weekly 12 UCW FEBRUARY 8-14, 2012 Basketballs Nylon Mesh Shorts Socks Training aids Assortment of Tops Two Great Businesses Under One Roof! 3006 Bragg Blvd. 910.323.1791 www.trophyhouseinc.com WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Gr eat pricing on uniform pack eational teams! for r ecr ages