A Howard County Police Department Resource Officer was engaged in a friendly exchange with students after school at one of the HCLS branches before the branches were closed because of COVID-19. It was clear that the officer and the students knew each other, and that there was an established and positive relationship. The officer knew the names of the students, and the students seemed very comfortable with the officer. The exchange seemed very relaxed and friendly. … [Read more...]
Spotted While Driving
I sat in Starbucks in Columbia with a work associate and noted how heavily policed the area was, with sirens constantly going by in the Oakland Mills area. Within five minutes of leaving, still new to the area, I was pulled over also. I had been holding my phone in my hand to view my gps more closely and then a call came in. I greeted the caller and the sirens went off. While the officer was talking to me, a white man who I estimated to be in his 60s was walking down the street. He started … [Read more...]
Scary Situation
I work in Howard County at the library but I have a story from last year that happened where I live (different county). My son and a friend went to a National Park last year (right before the Pandemic). It was a nice day and they wanted to take a hike and explore history. My sons have grown up going to the parks and love them. They completely got questioned and patted down by a police office. They were accused of having pot. They did not and are completely the best kids. Super friendly, polite … [Read more...]
Profiled
Since hearing a Race Equity Collaborative colleague tell of his son being followed by police here in HoCo, I started watching during my short, pandemic-range drives to see who I saw stopped by the cops. Only once did a see a white person stopped. All the other stops (<10) were people of color. I'm not at all convinced this relates to minding the driving rules. Certainly not speed-related driving rules. I've seen plenty of white males whizzing past me at excessive speeds, ignoring stop signs, … [Read more...]
