Black youth 'see the uniform first, then the officer,' say attendees at carding consultation

SalemBerhanehas been living in Windsor for ten years and has worked a lot with youth in the City of Windsor especially in theGlengarryneighbourhood.

Berhane also has an 8-year-old son, who was a big reason why she took part in a public consultation that's part of a provincial reviewon the arbitrary collection of identifying information by police also known as carding.

"I can understand if it is a youth of any race that is in trouble," saidBerhane. "But when you are an educated student, when you are doing what you're supposed to be doing, an upstanding citizen...To be afraid of the cops or what not is a problem if you're not doing anything."

More than a year after the province released new rulesrestricting the practice of arbitrary police street checks,a public consultationaround the practice took place in Windsor on Monday night. It's one of 12 planned across the province.

The new policy, released in January 2017, stipulates among other things that officersmust inform people that they havea right not to talk to police or produce identification in cases other than arrest, detainment or when a search warrant is executed. The rules don't apply to undercover operations.

The public consultation in Windsor offereda chance for members of the community to share how they feel about the practice withJusticeMichael H.Tulloch, who wasappointed to the independent review of the new regulations.

Even though we do see black police officers, we see their badge before their skin colour. But to me you see my skin colour before you see my personality or my traits.- AdutKeror

Groups of individuals took part in smaller table discussions, which were then presented toTullochand the crowd. The talks gave way to some bigger issues not just carding.

"Our black youth don't feel comfortable around the cops in uniform whether the officers are black or not they see they're uniform first and then the officer," saidBehrane.

High school studentstalked about what a perfect police force would look like. They saidthey wanted to see more officers who "looked like them."

AdutKeror, 23,said that police officers don't take the time to understand the people in her community. She said she grew up in a neighbourhood of many new Canadians who were not always aware of their rights when it came to being stopped by the police.

"I think they should be more involved in the community," she said, adding that there is a systematic distrust between people in her community and police.

Are the same folks that are talking about marginalization and being carded for no reason is that happening to our youth in our schools?-Julia Burgess, trustee, Greater Essex County District School Board

"Even though we do see black police officers, we see their badge before their skin colour. But to me you see my skin colour before you see my personality or my traits," saidKeror.

A few members of the Windsor police also attended the event to listen and take part in discussions. Members of their group said they had an open conversation about the issues at hand.

Julia Burgess, a trustee on theGreater Essex County District School Board, also attended. She said there'sreason for school boards to be interested in the issues presented, because it could help identifybiases at the elementary school level.

"Are the same folks that are talking about marginalization and being carded for no reason is that happening to our youth in our schools?" she said. "To be more fair at every level then this kind of thing is parallel to what we are doing and certainly in sync."

A generalfeeling from those in attendance was that people, especially youth, needed to be informed and aware of their rights when it comes to dealing with police.

"I just want these young people to be informed, that's my biggest thing," said MehariHagos, a youth activist in Windsor.

Many of the young people said they showed up to the discussions because Hagosmade sure they were aware of it.

"I want the kids to know just because you live in this neighbourhood you could be targeted," said Hagos, who has had his own experiences being stopped by police.

Talks will continue in London on Wednesday. Consultations have already been held inThunder Bay,Brampton.Hamilton,AjaxandMarkhamas well as three in theTorontoarea. Two more will be held inOttawaand Sudbury.