Disparity in arrests defies easy answers: #tellusatoday

At least 70 police departments across the country arrested blacks at a rate 10 times more than other races, according to a Paste BN analysis. Letter to the editor:

Every time I see stories in the news about allegations of discrimination, brutality or other inappropriate action by law enforcement officers, I wonder how many body cameras could have been supplied to police and sheriff's departments for the cost of just one "surplus" military tank ("Racial gap in U.S. arrest rates: 'Staggering disparity'").

None of the military weapons or war machines inspires trust or eases any pre-existing animosity. Using body cameras causes police to be more courteous and respectful of citizen's rights, especially in situations without civilian witnesses willing to speak up.

Body cameras cut through any confusing accounts from either side and provide an accurate record of events for any future courtroom. Defendants lie, police lie, body cameras do not.

There would be less tension between police and public, less police misconduct, and fewer false claims of police misconduct, when and where there is an objective and unbiased eye recording every police/public interaction.

Tom Daniel; Brookhaven, Ga.

Comments from Facebook and Twitter are edited for clarity and grammar:

Blacks are arrested at a higher rate than whites. Some of this is because of a lack of trust on the part of law enforcement for people who are different from them, and the perception that minorities are more likely to commit crimes.

— Ricki Feist

No doubt many black men are treated differently and receive harsher punishments, which should be addressed and changed.

The crisis in the black community regarding young males also needs to be addressed for real change to occur, and that starts within the African-American community.

— Jacob Smyth

What's behind the staggering disparity? Everyone is so afraid of being called a racist.

Let's just come out and say it: A lot of blacks are criminals. That drives the disproportionate number of arrests.

— Jen Heyward

A lot of whites are also criminals. The difference is that they might get a slap on the wrist, while minorities get raped by the justice system.

— Kyoko Sakata

If only folks would stop spending the time they do blaming other races for having a criminal element and instead help solve the issues, who knows what could be accomplished?

— John Burns II

It is no surprise. It has to do with a lack of opportunities and a system that gives privilege to whites.

— @mabelcelia

What do I think is driving those statistics? Racism.

— @d_weezy

Lack of two-parent households is a problem!

— @bpatswag

Poor blacks in poor neighborhoods are easier targets for police than middle-class whites in the suburbs.

— @brett_milam

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