RELY ON FACTS, NOT EMOTION

A Survey On Racial Profiling Could Help Police But Should Be Objective

Orlando City Commissioner Daisy Lynum is expected to rev up the
rhetoric over racial profiling -- a cause for which she has great
passion -- by preparing a questionnaire she intends to send to
predominantly black churches.

The survey would get details from people who perceive they have been
targeted by police because of their skin color.

Gathering this information is not the problem here. It's about
objectivity and fairness. Ms. Lynum, who has sparred with the police
since her son Juan claimed to be a victim of racial profiling in a May
incident, should not be the point person in this endeavor.

She needs to work with the mayor's office and police officials to put
together a joint survey conducted scientifically and without personal
agendas.

Now is a good time to do such a survey. The city police are about to
launch a needed crackdown on crime. It will entail stopping more
drivers for broken taillights and other minor offenses in an attempt
to create a "no-tolerance zone" in places such as Parramore. Such a
crackdown only heightens the need to establish a dialogue between the
city and residents.

Residents need to be aware that they are more likely to be pulled
over. The police need to hear the voices of residents -- and, if the
survey does indeed point to a problem with perceived profiling, find a
way to appease those concerns by educating the residents about why
more stops are being made.

Trust between the community and the police is extremely important. The
way to establish that is for all parties to work on a comprehensive,
objective survey.