Racial Profiling Rife at Airport, U.S. Officers Say

Racial Profiling Rife at Airport, U.S. Officers Say

By MICHAEL S. SCHMIDT and ERIC LICHTBLAU

Officers from a Transportation Security Administration program in Boston say passengers who fit certain profiles are much more likely to be stopped, searched and questioned for “suspicious” behavior.


In interviews and internal complaints, officers from the Transportation Security Administration’s “behavior detection” program at Logan International Airport in Boston asserted that passengers who fit certain profiles — Hispanics traveling to Miami, for instance, or blacks wearing baseball caps backward — are much more likely to be stopped, searched and questioned for “suspicious” behavior.

“They just pull aside anyone who they don’t like the way they look — if they are black and have expensive clothes or jewelry, or if they are Hispanic,” said one white officer, who along with four others spoke with The New York Times on the condition of anonymity.

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I say they should profile everybody in whatever way they want if it will protect our safety better than today's security theater. I think the Israeli airlines have been doing that for years and they have a pretty good safety record.

With you 100% Me530. If drivers of red cars are more prone to speed, that's the cars cops should be watching more closely. If pit bulls and Rotties tend to attack people more often than other breeds then insurance companies factor that into your premium. Life is all about playing the percentages or odds.

Originally Posted by Gluhwein

With you 100% Me530. If drivers of red cars are more prone to speed, that's the cars cops should be watching more closely. If pit bulls and Rotties tend to attack people more often than other breeds then insurance companies factor that into your premium. Life is all about playing the percentages or odds.

The problem with profiling, as illustrated in this case, is when profiling is done unscientifically. Blacks with backwards baseball caps and Hispanics traveling to Miami are no more likely to hijack a plane than the average white male.

Also, on the street, stopping people based on racial profiling can lead to a violation of civil rights.

Originally Posted by cwsqbm

The problem with profiling, as illustrated in this case, is when profiling is done unscientifically. Blacks with backwards baseball caps and Hispanics traveling to Miami are no more likely to hijack a plane than the average white male.

Also, on the street, stopping people based on racial profiling can lead to a violation of civil rights.

I would make a different argument.

If profiling is used, as described above, then there is a greater chance that a bad actor can change the profile and have a better chance at getting through. They profile black guys with backwards hats wearing expensive clothes? OK, if I am a black guy trying to get past security, I just wear a pair of everyday jeans and a plain shirt, and no hat.

And the Israelis don't really profile, they interrogate practically everyone. If you are flying into Israel, be prepared for an in-depth interview. That is not profiling.

Originally Posted by Kamdog

And the Israelis don't really profile, they interrogate practically everyone. If you are flying into Israel, be prepared for an in-depth interview. That is not profiling.

I think they still use behind the scenes profiling. It's just not openly debated or acknowledged. As you mentioned, on top of that they do the interview, which I also support.

Originally Posted by Me530

I think they still use behind the scenes profiling. It's just not openly debated or acknowledged. As you mentioned, on top of that they do the interview, which I also support.

I support it for them. Not for us. Too expensive, too many travelers, not enough highly qualified interrogators. Israel is the size of New Jersey, I don't their methods scale up.

Originally Posted by Kamdog

OK, if I am a black guy trying to get past security, I just wear a pair of everyday jeans and a plain shirt, and no hat.

Or a conservative suite and tie + round trip business class tickets.

The problem with profiling is that organised groups can use it to reduce the chance of being searched.

Originally Posted by cwsqbm

Also, on the street, stopping people based on racial profiling can lead to a violation of civil rights.

Yes but we are talking about the airport, where our rights are already violated time and time again.