Law Enforcement and Police Essay

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incarceration of minorities, most prominently black males and its effect on communities with black males. It begins with making a bold statement. "The number of people incarcerated in the United States has grown seven times over the past 40 years, and this growth has been concentrated among black men with little education" (Goffman, 2009, p. 339). Goffman makes a direct correlation with lack of education and incarceration for black males. He notes that those with a high school diploma are 30% more likely to be incarcerated with odd jumping to 60% if they did not finish high school. The statistics also highlight black children and the fact that 25% of black children born in 1990 have fathers in prison.

Some news stories and articles throughout the years, especially the recent Black Lives Matter movement, have shown the rise in incarceration and targeted arrests of black men by law enforcement. This kind of article, written 7 or 8 years before the movement took roots, truly shows that the problem of black men being targeted by law enforcement is real. The government is trying to in some way or another prevent upward mobility for black citizens. Whether these arrests are motivated through racial prejudice or simply economic disparity, black men are clearly targeted more than any other group.

The article continues by sharing that police presence and supervision has increased in poor communities. Decades prior there were hardly police in and around those neighborhoods. Now there are police helicopters, searchers, chases, and multiple arrest warrants out for small infractions. While research points to poor communities having a small population of criminals performing major crimes and later standing trial, most members of poor urban communities, specifically poor black communities had little interaction with police before the 1990's. "Before the 1990's, in fact, the ghetto was frequently described as nearly abandoned by law enforcement" (Goffman, 2009, p. 340).

The mention of lack of policing decades' prior is a stark contrast to the reality of policing in poor urban communities now. This may come as a result of the privatization of prisons and the profits that came/come from having prisoners. It seems once money motivated acquiring prisoners for prisons, that is when the policing in these areas increased.

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Thus, leading to a result of a higher number of prisoners in prisons and targeted arrests.

Along with privatization of prisons came as the article notes, a 'zero tolerance policy' on crime. From civic leaders to police officers, the war on drugs and crime seem to have blossomed into harsh change within law enforcement. The article notes the dramatic increase in the last fifty years of the number of police officer per capita. Goffman states in Philadelphia in particular, the number of police officers increased within 40 years by 69% (4.66 officers per 1,000 citizens). From the criminal supervision of 60,000 people, the Philadelphia Adult Probation and Parole Department gained 10 million dollars in 2006 alone in restitution, court costs, fines, as well as supervisory fees.

As the shift moved more towards money, it was clear to see while reading the article, the gradual progression of changes in law enforcement. First came the increase in police officers. Then came increased supervision. Next came increased arrests and searches. This led ultimately, to higher revenues for the local government and at times, the federal government.

Goffman continues the article with an account of living in 6th street and being friends with a young girl named Aisha. The story continues noting the five blocks described as 6th street being majority black and male residents there selling food, stolen goods, bootleg DVD's and CDs to passersby. The condition of the areas was also described. "The main commercial street includes a bullet-proofed Chinese food store selling friend chicken wings, 'loosie' cigarettes, condoms, baby food, and glassines for smoking crack. On the next block, a Puerto Rican family runs a corner grocery" (Goffman, 2009, p. 342).

The depiction of the area is a great way to show how constant arrests have affected certain areas. Males arrested and processed through courts developed ways to make money outside of regular jobs. Often ex-convicts cannot find work due to their prior criminal history. So they rely on illegal means like stealing goods, in order to provide for themselves. The glassines show other consequences such as the pain and struggle of living this kind of life and having to endure.....

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