Since August 17, 2010, there has been a series of “unorthodox inspections” in the African American community that borders on a violation of civil rights. These inspections have jailed 35 barbers, who Sheriff Jerry Demings admits at a press conference should have received citations.
“I would prefer that we not make custodial arrests for these minor violations,” he said. The majority of these arrests received a misdemeanor charge of ”barbering without a license.” Demings said if his agency could conduct the operation over again, deputies would have issued orders to appear in court.
This campaign was theoretically a joint operation with an agency, the Department of Business and Professional Regulations, but appeared in certain targeted communities a police raid. In many of the shops certain barbers were handcuffed even before, they were inspected to determine if they were in compliance.
Many of the owners are upset with the treatment of the deputies, and they want to know what was the basis and purpose of these sweeps. It is obvious that in different communities, compliance evaluations were handled in a much more orderly fashion with a positive tone.
There is a need in the targeted communities, where the treatment was too aggressive, to open up the lines of communication. Having a press conference to acknowledge a glitch in the system does not make the different barbers, who were impacted by the sweeps whole.
It is important that respect is developed with the police, the regulators and the barbers. Many deputies think that some barbershops are fronts for illegal activity, and this can be true in some instances. But during these sweeps illegal activity was very limited, and treatment in certain targeted communities was unwarranted.
As we move forward with enforcement agencies, there is a need to collaborate with the police and make our barbershops information centers and health centers for men in the community. By reaching forward, we can change the image of our barbershops, and make them a positive integral part of the community.
Stopping the unorthodox evaluations is the right thing to do. The Orange County Police Department must educate the barbers on the correct procedures and proper channels to issue a complaint. After the internal investigations are complete, it is necessary for our community leaders to sit down and make recommendations to resolve the controversy and the issues with the barbershop sweeps.
Sheriff Jerry Deming took a step forward by acknowledging that his office could have handed the situation better. It is now necessary for the community to take a step forward and work together, and resolve this confrontational situation.
