RACIAL PROFILING IS AN EFFECTIVE TOOL TO COMBAT CRIME

I could not disagree more with Robert Wilkins' article on racial profiling
("Stop racial profiling," Opinion Commentary, July 20). His conclusions seem
based on emotion rather than facts.

There is simply no evidence that this state's police are out to harass
blacks, that police are racists or that police departments are run by
racists.

The police are people just like you and me. They represent all walks of
life. They try to accomplish their jobs in the most efficient and effective
way possible.

It is not logical to assume they target blacks just to embarrass, harass or
arrest them. It's more logical to assume they are attempting to locate
criminals.

I would have to challenge the validity of the Maryland State Police data
that Mr. Wilkins cited concerning equal rates of possession of illegal drugs
among racial groups.

If one reviews the data compiled by the U.S. Department of Justice and the
FBI, the statistics clearly indicate that blacks are not only more involved
in drug activity, but in other criminal activity as well.

Why shouldn't the police target black drivers along certain routes?
Profiling works. The police develop profiles on most every type of crime.
Profiling is a scientific and historically valid methodology used to locate
and identify criminals.

If the black community is interested in cleaning up crime in the inner city,
racial profiling is a valid way to find the criminals and get them out of
our cities.

And if there is a small measure of inconvenience, let me borrow (and modify)
a phrase. "Taxes are what we pay for a civilized society."

One could also say, participation in your community and government are what
we pay for a civilized society. Sometimes that is an inconvenience.

Garry Swilley, Baltimore