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Policewoman Toni Roach: "We want you to stay alive"
Photo: Pasco Sheriffs Office
The letter reads as if it came from another world.
From a world in which people are pigeonholed according to their skin color, clothing or where they live.
A world of prejudice.
The prejudice.
In this case, they are classified as potentially criminal from the outset.
But one after anonther.
The Pasco Sheriff's Department, which is near Tampa in the US state of Florida, recently sent letters to a group of people who could become criminals in the future, according to various US media reports, such as the »Tampa Bay Times "or" Vice ".
The letter says kindly: "We are pleased to announce that you can participate in the Prolific Offender Program".
Prolific Offender Program - that sounds nice, but can roughly be translated as "intensive offender program".
So whoever has received such a letter, the police will check more closely in the future.
The police immediately give an answer to those who are now wondering why they were selected. “They were selected on the basis of an evidence-based risk assessment.” This includes the most recent criminal behavior. The aim is to support the selected citizens in a positive lifestyle, to accompany them closely, to encourage them to be more accountable for their actions.
"From now on, your name and criminal record will be reported to local and state law enforcement," the letter said.
These include prosecutors, homeland security, the FBI and the DEA drug investigation agency.
“We hope you will do your part to improve your life.
We want you to stay alive, not go to jail, but we need your help to make that happen, ”the letter continues.
A head of the department, Toni Roach, said in a video that being selected was "good news" because the participants were receiving support from the police and the community.
Anyone who is no longer conspicuous after two years will be released from the program.
But what the police sell as life support, lawyers and human rights activists see as degradation.
Criticism comes from the American-Islamic Relations Council in Florida that the letter threatens and harasses citizens.
The African American civil rights organization NAACP was also critical: "We know that something like this does not make communities safer."
Critics were particularly bothered by the language of the letter.
In fine words it is formulated here that the men and women affected are increasingly under police control.
"It's so incredibly condescending and abusive," said Bacardi Jackson, a human rights attorney at a poorer justice center.
According to the Tampa Bay Times report, the program is already leading to negative consequences for those affected.
Officials would show up around the clock and hand out tickets for small items such as grass that has grown too high.
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