Mapping Muslims in LA
We ask whether or not ‘mapping Muslims’ constitutes racial profiling.
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| The LA Muslim community and civil rights activists raised strong objections to the plan |
Mapping has been a tried and true tool of law enforcement for decades. Traditionally it has involved charting out areas with gang or drug activity on maps in order to better target resources and expand community policing programmes.
But what happens when ‘mapping’ is turned to identify a faith, ethnic or political community? In Los Angeles, the police department’s Counter Terrorism Criminal Intelligence Bureau proposed ‘mapping’ the city’s Muslim community as a way to identify at risk areas when it comes to terrorist activity.
The Los Angeles Muslim community and civil rights activists raised strong objections to the plan and ‘Muslim mapping’ was quickly pronounced “dead on arrival” by the LAPD’s police chief.
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| Riz speaks with Mike Downing, the LAPD’s deputy chief |
On Wednesday, the Riz Khan show speaks with Mike Downing, the LAPD’s deputy chief in charge of counter terrorism, and Salam Al Marayati, the executive director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council.
We ask whether or not ‘mapping Muslims’ constitutes racial profiling or if it was just an unfortunate choice of words for ‘community policing’.
We also ask if this case has driven community and law enforcement farther apart or if it represents a case of community and police coming together to resolve serious issues.
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This episode of Riz Khan aired on Wednesday, November 28, 2007
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