Highway robbery? Texas police seize black motorists' cash, cars - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Gurkha · #1 10-11-2009, 12:28 PM

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-texas-profiling_wittmar10,0,6051682.story

TENAHA, Texas— You can drive into this dusty fleck of a town near the Texas-Louisiana border if you're African-American, but you might not be able to drive out of it—at least not with your car, your cash, your jewelry or other valuables.

More than 140 people reluctantly accepted that deal from June 2006 to June 2008, according to court records. Among them were a black grandmother from Akron, who surrendered $4,000 in cash after Tenaha police pulled her over, and an interracial couple from Houston, who gave up more than $6,000 after police threatened to seize their children and put them into foster care, the court documents show. Neither the grandmother nor the couple were charged with any crime.

Fitz · #2 10-11-2009, 12:49 PM

According to Wikipedia, non-whites make up the majority of the population of Tenaha. Not exactly what you would expect from the article.

Quote:

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,046 people, 402 households, and 281 families residing in the town. The population density was 264.9 people per square mile (102.2/km²). There were 489 housing units at an average density of 123.8/sq mi (47.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 46.18% White, 42.35% African American, 0.19% Native American, 9.66% from other races, and 1.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.86% of the population

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenaha,_Texas

Gurkha · #3 10-11-2009, 12:53 PM

True but its not about whites versus blacks but how cops rob ordinary African Americans driving through the city, these people were not charged with any crime. It would be interesting to see the make up of the cops there, what %age is white and what % is black.

tankdriver · #4 10-11-2009, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fitz

According to Wikipedia, non-whites make up the majority of the population of Tenaha. Not exactly what you would expect from the article.

If the police robberies are not racial, then whites should account for 46% of victims.

Larry Delor · #5 10-11-2009, 01:06 PM

Whatever the percentage may be, it would only serve to keep racism alive. What needs to be pointed out more than anything else, is the crime commited.

Gurkha · #6 10-11-2009, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tankdriver

If the police robberies are not racial, then whites should account for 46% of victims.

Good point..........

Hatterasguy · #7 10-11-2009, 01:13 PM

Its not so much as a race issue. Its an issue about back woods barney fife cops shaking people down.

My favorite are the speed trap's in VT. They only are enforced if you have an out of state plate.

Freaken towns are so poor they need the money.

tankdriver · #8 10-11-2009, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Its not so much as a race issue. Its an issue about back woods barney fife cops shaking people down.

It appears to include both.

Hatterasguy · #9 10-11-2009, 01:20 PM

Yeah probably. The cops go after people who won't fight back.

Imagin if they tried that scam with a well connected white lawyer from NYC; the Feds would come down on them like a ton of bricks.

Gurkha · #10 10-11-2009, 01:25 PM

Robbing the granma was really a piss poor thing to do, shame on them.

Fitz · #11 10-11-2009, 01:52 PM

The Chicago Tribune should be more concerned with what's happening closer to home....record murder rates among young blacks, blacks beating one another to death with wood scraps, etc.

Race relations in the South are usually more complicated and harmonious than northern newspapers would ever portray them as being. This is more a story about political corruption and abuse of power, other issues that Chicago has in abundance

E150GT · #12 10-11-2009, 02:01 PM

Why are these people driving around with 4-6 grand cash?

tankdriver · #13 10-11-2009, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E150GT

Why are these people driving around with 4-6 grand cash?

It is on a corridor to the LA casinos, so they might be winnings or disposable income to gamble.

cmac2012 · #14 10-11-2009, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fitz

The Chicago Tribune should be more concerned with what's happening closer to home....record murder rates among young blacks, blacks beating one another to death with wood scraps, etc.

Race relations in the South are usually more complicated and harmonious than northern newspapers would ever portray them as being. This is more a story about political corruption and abuse of power, other issues that Chicago has in abundance

Oh well, the Tenaha Sun Herald Tribune wasn't running an expose.

Someone had to do it.

We need cops but oh man, power corrupts.

Phil · #15 10-11-2009, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fitz

The Chicago Tribune should be more concerned with what's happening closer to home.
Race relations in the South are usually more complicated and harmonious than northern newspapers would ever portray them as being. This is more a story about political corruption and abuse of power, other issues that Chicago has in abundance

The story was in the news all over the country not just Chicago.