Detainment sparks racial profiling claims

An incident Wednesday night has sparked outrage among campus minority groups, who allege that Penn Police and security guards used racial profiling in detaining a black male College student.

The United Minorities Council issued a statement yesterday demanding that the University address several of the organization's concerns relating to the "institutional discrimination" that "persists within our university."

The statement came as a result of an incident outside Huntsman Hall Wednesday night, in which a black male undergraduate student was temporarily handcuffed by Penn Police after a verbal altercation between the student and Allied Barton security guards.

The student in question, who requested anonymity for this article, claimed that police unecessarily handcuffed him simply because security allegedly assumed, due to his race, that he was not affiliated with the University.

But Division of Public Safety officials allege that the student had become confrontational with two Allied Barton security guards and police followed protocol by temporarily detaining him before it was determined that no crime had occurred.

According to the student, a female security guard first confronted him when he attempted to gain entry into Huntsman through the Walnut Street entrance at a little past 7 p.m.

DPS Spokeswoman Karima Zedan said that the security guard stopped the student because that entrance closes at 7 p.m.

The student eventually walked around to the Locust Walk entrance, which was still open at the time.

At around 7:50 p.m., the student was leaving the building through the Walnut Street side when he saw the same security guard.

The student said that he asked the guard for her name because he felt that she had acted improperly earlier.

Zedan said that the guard "felt uncomfortable" and the guard's supervisor soon arrived to assist in the situation.

After the supervisor arrived, Zedan said that the student "continued to be confrontational" and the supervisor radioed police.

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.

She said that the case was called in as a "fight-in-progress" due to the student's alleged confrontational nature and police followed protocol by temporarily detaining the student.

Zedan also stressed that "the stop was not random or arbitrary" [and] did not involve any capricious use of force."

But Johnson said she believes the incident -- in which the student was not carrying identification -- is representative of an unfair burden put on black male students.

"We do feel that minority males are criminalized, and that they do have to prove their legitimacy to walk on campus," she said.

She also emphasized that it is troublesome that incidents like this can escalate to police intervention so easily.

The student in question has not issued a formal complaint, but Zedan said the Division of Public Safety Advisory Board will review the incident when it convenes in April.

-- Senior staff writer Samuel Dangremond contributed reporting to this article.

Comments (37)

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. Outside of this interaction, I would like to know what the security guard did. Also, why would the police detain him, if he had his Penn card to show that he belonged in a campus building and was not trespassing? These two interactions seems needless if the student presented proper identification. If he did in fact present ID, then it would be useful to understand why the Security and Police felt the need to continue this investigation.

the minority community will continue to make slow progress towards true acceptance and equality so long as certain individuals like this constantly allege discrimination. just like everytime the Reverends Sharpton and Jackson blindy come to the defense of a black individual when cross-racial issues are involved, constantly playing the victim does nothing but etch away at the perception of the minority community. didnt MLK call for brotherhood amongst all colors? quit it with the "us and them" mentality which is nothing more than continued self-segregation and will do nothing but perpetuate stereotypes.

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. The sooner the Penn police realize this fact the better and only then will they stop racially profiling.

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. And I'm sure some of the guards/police involved were black. Also, maybe if African-Americans didn't commit 90% of the crime on campus and in the West Philly area, there would be less of a stigma. Just a thought.

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. It cannot be overstated that PENN is not situated in North Hills, Beverly Hills, or Short Hills, and that given its locale, every PENN student remains fully cognizant of the difficulties of the surrounding environment and that profiling will continue until it is no longer rational to do so. This is an unfortunate fact of life.

[QUOTE id="6af6b5b3-2859-416d-afb3-4fb66c82976b"]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. The sooner the Penn police realize this fact the better and only then will they stop racially profiling.[/QUOTE] As a white woman, I feel that if Penn police have reason to stop me for a given behavior, I have a right to be told why I'm being detained or questioned and provide verification of my right to be in a given area if there's a question of trespassing through identification. However, I do not have the right to belittle security guards or speak disrespectfully to police officers, thus causing further commotion. The fact of the matter is, in our society police can stop you for whatever they want if there's a doubt of suspicion. They are not allowed to beat you, but they are allowed to hold you against your will for as long as they want (Thank you Patriot Act). I think it would be prudent of anyone involved in an altercation with police to be up front, cooperative if the situation is not threatening, and respectful regardless of their race, religion, or beliefs. I also echo the sentiments of the poster who questioned why this immediately became a race issue. Were the security guard and her supervisor plus the Penn police that responded all white? Did they openly insult the student about his race? Did he provide proper identification and act in a responsible manner instead of resorting to shouting or otherwise aggressive behavior? I think these are important facts to find out before automatically jumping on the bandwagon of "Omg, I had a crappy life moment because I'm white, green, purple, or blue and everyone's out to get me."

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. It was not a matter of race or gender, the guard was just following procedure. I would walk around to the other entrance (a whole block, what ever shall I do?!) and swipe my PennCard to get it. There was no reason for the student in this case to start a dispute with the guard in the first place. The rules about after-hours entry have been in place since the building opened and help to ensure everyone's safety. Now, instead of focusing on patrolling campus to keep students, faculty, and staff safe, Penn Police can sit and discuss how they should change policies to avoid these allegations in the future. It is sad that this student, who didn't think the rules should apply to him and didn't want to bother walking an extra block to the Locust Walk entrance, caused this commotion and then played the race card rather than accepting the consequences of his disorderly and rude behavior.

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. They are not allowed to beat you, but they are allowed to hold you against your will for as long as they want (Thank you Patriot Act)") or sense of justice ("It cannot be overstated that PENN is not situated in North Hills, Beverly Hills, or Short Hills, and that given its locale, every PENN student remains fully cognizant of the difficulties of the surrounding environment and that profiling will continue until it is no longer rational to do so") all in the name of security. The fact is that police officers simply cannot stop you alone on suspicion (define suspicion?) and that racial profiling does not work and has never worked. But since it is only minorities that have been asked to relinquish their rights as citizens, I suppose it doesn't matter. Too bad that Ivy Leaguers past and present can't understand what is so obvious to the rest of the non-white world. Maybe that's why you're losing in Iraq because Americans never really took the time to understand the world.

[QUOTE id="e38b1d9c-7cbf-47c9-af35-2f9525bee230"]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. You got into the building and accomplished your goal. So why return to create another scene? You were in control at 7:00 PM but then relinquished it at 7:50PM to negative, intrusive thinking. Try anger management or relaxation techniques. The goal of anger management is to reduce both your emotional feelings and the physiological arousal that anger causes. You can't get rid of, or avoid, the things or the people that enrage you, nor can you change them, but you can learn to control your reactions. Have a nice spring and smell some blooming flowers. PEACE[/QUOTE] Leon- I guess Rosa Parks should have tried just sitting in the back of the bus too...that would have been a lot more "peaceful" Gosh! Just think, if she had only known her place all those people wouldn't have been so angry! Thanks for pointing this out to us.... and with your use of quotes around victim" I assume you think that is a self appointed title...and not actually a real victim---or maybe you think he had a choice here....just allow this behavior and quietly move on.....someone else should make a report and curb this behavior.... I will ask you this Leon...How many times do you think this large black man has dealt with and endured this type of profiling before he had the nerve to ask the name of his accuser? Personally, I have also asked for a name when I wanted to file a complaint. TO date though, I have never beed handcuffed over this request. But then again, I am a white female....

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. Nobody is allowed access to Huntsman via Walnut after 7. I don't even think the Vice Provost could get in that way if he wanted to. and 2) we need more information before we jump on the "everyone hates blacks" road. I see this as another attempt by the DP to get everyone riled up over absolutely nothing. And to "don't stop me" - what the hell are you owed? I'm Jewish, am I owed reparations because of what those evil white gentiles did to my people in Europe? No. Besides, you're probably only at Penn because you're black, anyway. You got your due. (Yeah, I went there)

This has nothing to do with racial profiling. The student that was detained was in the fact the person who started an altercation with a Security Guard. Most likely, the security guard pointed out the person since he was picked up only a block or two away. At no point was race involved in the apprehension of the student. The first time race became an issue was when the student was apprehended and cried racial profiling. What was his claim? That the security guard did not want to let him in the Walnut Street Entrance? How terrible. This debacle was not a result of racial profiling, but a lack of respect to Security Guards at Penn. I guess he felt it was warranted to come back outside and verbally harrass a security guard because she wouldn't let him enter the Walnut street entrance. I guess he thought it was okay to insult the guard, waste her time, and prevent her from doing her job (which is protecting students). This needs to be labeled for what it is; a selfish act by an immature student who felt he was more important than a secuirty jobs request. He created this entire problem, and should be ashamed of himself. To make matters worse, after realizing he could get in trouble, he pulled the race card to shift the blame to someone else...and that is cowardly.

[QUOTE id="4a85ca99-1397-4310-bfe6-e11028c9fd18"]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. Nobody is allowed access to Huntsman via Walnut after 7. I don't even think the Vice Provost could get in that way if he wanted to. and 2) we need more information before we jump on the "everyone hates blacks" road. I see this as another attempt by the DP to get everyone riled up over absolutely nothing. And to "don't stop me" - what the hell are you owed? I'm Jewish, am I owed reparations because of what those evil white gentiles did to my people in Europe? No. Besides, you're probably only at Penn because you're black, anyway. You got your due. (Yeah, I went there)[/QUOTE] I have no connection to the person you wrote that message to but I do have a response anyway. You are a pathetic little spoiled talentless brat who would have never gotten anywhere in life were it not for the fact that you were born into a privileged wealthy upper-middle class household with professional parents. Oh, and besides being associated with Penn, the fact that you're Jewish indicates I'm probably not wrong in any of these assumptions. Am I? Yes, I know this message is mean spirited and cruel. If you think it is too, maybe you'll learn to avoid confrontations like this in the future and say the nice thing instead of the honest thing.

Specifically, I was referring to the part of that message that was addressed to the kid being told off for being black, not the message that was intended for the teacher or others.

Penn students want safety, but they want the police to supernaturally walk on egg shells to deliver it. I am sorry to note the fact, but it is a fact that the OVERWHELMING amount of crime in West Philly is committed by young black males, almost all of it. There are a number of talented and brilliant young black men on this campus, but they are largely outnumbered by other black men in the surrounding the West Philly community who basically "ain't about sh*t." Is it unfair that the Penn students who are black should bear that burden because of things others who look like them do? HELL YEAH, but if it bothers you so much, maybe you should point the finger at the garbage that is giving young black men a bad name in the first place. When a young black male acts all indignant to someone who is quesioning whether he is just some west philly hood, well, tough. I realize this is not fair, but would we all feel better if every young black male off the streets could come and go through Huntsman? If he had an ID this would be a non-issue. So sorry, I like the idea of keeping potential thugs out of Huntsman. If that means some black sophmore who forgot his ID gets his feelings hurt, tough sh*t. I hear this never happens at Howard....

Rosa Parks was a great woman who refused to move her butt for a white man on a bus. What does a student who tried to get into an entrance that was already closed have anything to do with Rosa's important message and her bravery? The student "victimized" himself. He eventually got into the building the "correct way". What was the damage? His return to the scene of the "crime" was no more than his mismanagement of anger. As for his being handcuffed I do not know what he did or said. But I am a white guy who was handcuffed and pepper sprayed and powerwashed to the ground by fire hoses in the early 70's for protesting the Viet Nam War. I was "profiled" then for allegedly being a radical hippie commie. I know the importance of speaking out. Please dont use Rosa Park's story in the same context as this student. Peace to you.

[QUOTE id="b4553b67-bf21-4c3d-9cef-a44d8b53e358"]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. Outside of this interaction, I would like to know what the security guard did. Also, why would the police detain him, if he had his Penn card to show that he belonged in a campus building and was not trespassing? These two interactions seems needless if the student presented proper identification. If he did in fact present ID, then it would be useful to understand why the Security and Police felt the need to continue this investigation.[/QUOTE] Good and important questions that should have been included in this "article." All we know is that some race baiting is going on...maybe it is real, but given the lack of actual facts, I doubt it. There are so many fake charges and hoaxes these days on college campuses, we have to hold out for the facts to see what is true. The newspaper could have provided those facts so the reader could decide...instead we were offered one "victim's" story and a bunch of racial slogans. That is not journalism.

I am positive that the kid never asked for any of this...he never called race, other people called race. And he didn't start an altercation with the security guard, she started one with him...the DP fucks up another situation....he is not causing this problem, people are causing it for him.......AND HE NEVER PULLED THE "RACE CARD"..why don't you ask him?

I may give you spoiled, because yes I have been very lucky in life and acknowledge that. But I am not pathetic, little, nor talentless. And why would I say something "nice" if I don't believe it? Affirmative action isn't a myth or illusion (like the racial connotations indicated in the original article) - it's not so unfair to assume someone had an edge in admissions because of their color. And I didn't "tell the person off" because he's black, I had an issue with him thinking he deserves to get special treatment from cops or whoever else just because of the racial history of the United States.

The amount of racism and ignorance on this board is bothersome. From ridiculously false statistic ('90% of all crime committed by young black males) to downright viciously racist idiocy ('you only got into Penn because you're black'), we certainly have a good view of a lot of things that are WRONG with Penn's culture at the moment showcased here. To the teacher, I present to you the new generation that fails to think or become outraged about rights that have been taken away. Isn't the future grand? On the note of the actual event, we don't know the precise facts of what happened from this DP report. Security claims the student was being aggressive, the student says he was calm and rational. In the end, calling it in as a 'fight in progress' is ludicrous, and they question that we need to ask is 'would it have gotten that far if the student were WHITE?' During my time at Penn I saw PLENTY of rude, obnoxious, spoiled little rich boys and girls treating the people who work for Penn like scum. Yet, I have never heard of any of them being handcuffed or treated in such a matter.

[QUOTE id="28ed1062-e09c-46bb-b2db-76f722b2a747"]The amount of racism and ignorance on this board is bothersome. From ridiculously false statistic ('90% of all crime committed by young black males) to downright viciously racist idiocy ('you only got into Penn because you're black'), we certainly have a good view of a lot of things that are WRONG with Penn's culture at the moment showcased here. To the teacher, I present to you the new generation that fails to think or become outraged about rights that have been taken away. Isn't the future grand? On the note of the actual event, we don't know the precise facts of what happened from this DP report. Security claims the student was being aggressive, the student says he was calm and rational. In the end, calling it in as a 'fight in progress' is ludicrous, and they question that we need to ask is 'would it have gotten that far if the student were WHITE?' During my time at Penn I saw PLENTY of rude, obnoxious, spoiled little rich boys and girls treating the people who work for Penn like scum. Yet, I have never heard of any of them being handcuffed or treated in such a matter.[/QUOTE] First of all, the reasoning above is as mistaken as it is self-rightous. You say "I saw PLENTY of rude, obnoxious, spoiled little rich boys and girls treating the people who work for Penn like scum." Gee, that's odd, you essentially used "rich" as a synonym for white. I know a few poor Penn whities and rich Penn blackies that might want to have a word with your broad incorrect generalization. SECOND You say that the 90% statistic is somehow wrong or misguided, yet you have no proof otherwise, and from the sounds of it, you haven't been to penn lately. Sorry to say, but there has been a crime wave in west philly over the past 2 years and guess whom the culprits are? How bout you search the DP crime reports and find how many students report being robbed by white kids from Kensington. Sorry, its black males from west philly. No one should suggest that all black males are criminal or that any black male at penn has less of a right to be there than any white kid. But to deny that young black males are the primary source of crime and violence in west philadelphia is putting your head in the PC sand. It's the truth and we must act accordingly. How bout your stroll trough west philly at about 4:00 am by yourself with your best jewelry and clothes and you let me know how many white and indians threaten or rob you.

Since when are the subjects of articles entitled to anonymity? Get it together, DP! You name names in a variety of other (in many cases less flattering) situations. Why is this an exception?

If Efe Johnson brought up two UNRELATED incidents, which the authors of this piece expressly tell us, why would they mention in the article? The authors of this piece are only helping to fuel this controversy that is little more than a student talking back to a policeman. I would advise the authors of this piece to find out more about the situation before comparing it to others that may not be relevant.

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. You got into the building and accomplished your goal. So why return to create another scene? You were in control at 7:00 PM but then relinquished it at 7:50PM to negative, intrusive thinking. Try anger management or relaxation techniques. The goal of anger management is to reduce both your emotional feelings and the physiological arousal that anger causes. You can't get rid of, or avoid, the things or the people that enrage you, nor can you change them, but you can learn to control your reactions. Have a nice spring and smell some blooming flowers. PEACE

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?

[QUOTE id="526adb2c-58a6-42cb-a0f0-3c40df4752e0"]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?[/QUOTE] I'm sorry, but was that supposed to be a complete thought?