Police in Gwinnett County and Georgia (Between: to live, budget, racism)

[Harmony200]

I have heard some pretty alarming things about the police in Georgia especially in Gwinnett County. I have heard things like how the police will follow you and pull you over for no reason but always state "that you made an illegal lane change" so they can question you. Asks if you've been drinking or have any drugs. And if you say anything that is a sign of disrespect, they haul you off and charge you with disorderly conduct. I heard that they target minorities especially black males.

I am concerned because I recently moved to Gwinnett County and I have a son and a husband. Although he is a toddler and wont be driving no time soon, I am terrified for my husband. I dont want him driving to work and the police stop him for no reason and haul him off to jail.

Do I have reason to be terrified? Are the police in Georgia really that bad?

[billl]

Well this won't help reduce your fears any....

Gwinnett women killed in police-involved shooting*| ajc.com

Between that and the recent Johns Creek shooting I wonder if the area has a bunch of trigger happy cops.

[Harmony200]

You are right! This article did not help my fears at all.

Thanks.....

[brettk]

I haven't heard anything in terms of news stories that would lead me to assume they are in the business of racial profiling. We don't know the race/ ethnicity of those involved in the shooting yesterday, nor exactly what happend so I think its a little early to make judgments.

I know there's some civil rights/ ACLU type groups who probably aren't happy that GC is cracking down on illegal aliens, but I haven't heard of the police actually doing anything illegal.

I know there work is fixin to get a little harder with budget cuts soon though.

[johnatl]

And in all fairness to the sad situation last night, the poor Mom told the 911 operator that her daughter wanted to kill herself via "suicide by cop."

My few interactions with the Gwinnett Police from working out there (and my Dad used to live there) have been nothing short of pleasant.

I really don't think you have much to worry about Harmony200. The County is extremely diverse now, and has been for quite some time.

[BobKovacs]

I'd think the stories you're hearing are overblown, but even if they aren't, you've got nothing to worry about unless your husband is a drinking and driving, doing drugs, or a loudmouth.

If what you hear is true, provided hubby hasn't been drinking and doesn't have any drugs on him, all he has to do is avoid being disrespectful. "Yes, sir" and "no, sir" answers to any questions, no wiseass remarks, etc., and there's no need to worry about being drug off to jail, right?

[ericsonga]

Although not being a minority, I have always heard great things about our police force. While there are going to be bad apples in any large bunch, I truly think that by and large it is a great police force. I have only had to deal with them on a few occasions, and they have been helpful, polite, and overall pleasant. I have heard some on the same things you have heard, but I think that a lot of it is blown out of proportion. I wouldn't worry, unless you are up to no good

[StPaulEastSider]

Originally Posted by BobKovacs

I'd think the stories you're hearing are overblown, but even if they aren't, you've got nothing to worry about unless your husband is a drinking and driving, doing drugs, or a loudmouth.

If what you hear is true, provided hubby hasn't been drinking and doesn't have any drugs on him, all he has to do is avoid being disrespectful. "Yes, sir" and "no, sir" answers to any questions, no wiseass remarks, etc., and there's no need to worry about being drug off to jail, right?

Bob ~

I hear what you are saying, I used to say this same thing to my husband in response to his, I thought at the time, irrational fears... then he was arrested for no fathomable reason other than DWB. He was released without being charged with anything, so no harm done?

Yeah, right... this type of reality messes with the heads and spirits of minorities in our society. Recent news report most definently will trigger fears and anxieties such as what the OP expressed... these fears and anxieties are based in the realities of the collective experiences of minorities, especially blacks, in our society.

It took being married to a black man for 10+ years, and a few rude awakening incidents with the police and racial profiling, for me to really 'get it'... so I guess I wouldn't expect most non-minorities to understand.

My best advise to the OP, if she is a believer, is to pray for protection and put your faith in the Lord. Amazingly, the night my husband spent in the Hennepin County jail he found himself sharing a jail cell with a man who really was guilty... my husband ended up leading this guy to accept Christ as his Savior. After that my husband felt much less angry and bitter at having to spend a night of his life unjustly jailed.

But guess what?? Although he was released without charges being filed against him, the arrest is still on his public record and came up in a job interview 2 years ago... he still got the job, but good grief!

Driving While Black - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The fact certain incidents involving the police ARE in the news is, methinks, a good sign. When these incidents are not making the news our society is in trouble... because whether or not these incidents are reported in the news, they are still happening.

[Harmony200]

My Husband is very respecful, law-abiding and always says yes sir and no sir. He wont be a problem. But Worries me ,for example, is the Professor at Harvard that got arrested on his own PORCH!!! I am terrified of things like that. Also on top of that, the history of racism in the state of Georgia. I am just nervous I guess....

[Harmony200]

Thanks for the Post StPAUL..... That's exactly what I am talking about....... Every police in any state do arrest black men for no readon. I just wanted to know how bad it is in Georgia or Gwinnett.

I am glad you husband got the job. I know plenty of instances of people who have been arrested just for walking down the street, get a disorderly conduct charge, apply for a job and cant get it.