Racial Profiling Allegations in Huntington; HPD Chief Said He Was Barred from News Conference
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Updated: 10:30 PM Nov 18, 2009
Racial Profiling Allegations in Huntington; HPD Chief Said He Was Barred from News Conference
Huntington's NAACP chapter is claiming members of the African-American community have been the victims of illegal racial profiling.
Posted: 8:00 PM Nov 18, 2009
Reporter: Dave Benton
Email Address: dave.benton@wsaz.com
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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Huntington's NAACP chapter is claiming members of the African-American community have been the victims of illegal racial profiling.

The NAACP and the Huntington Black Pastors' Ministerial Association say they are not indicting the Huntington Police Department, the West Virginia State Police or the Cabell County Sheriff's Department.

But they do say there is a need to temper the actions of law enforcement officers in the African-American community. The group is asking any African American who feels that they have been the victim of racial profiling or traffic stops without cause to contact them. The Rev. Roy Terry gave an example of a recent claim.

Huntington Police Chief Skip Holbrook said he was surprised by the claim.

Holbrook also sent us a news release after this story aired to say he attempted to attend a news conference held Wednesday by the NAACP and the Black Pastors' Ministerial Association. Holbrook said he was asked to leave because it was private.

"I understand and value the concerns of both organizations," Holbrook said in the news release. "It is frustrating for me to hear of such concerns first through a press conference, rather than a dialogue with concerned leaders. I have always made myself accessible to both citizens and leaders for all communities within our city since the first day on the job."

Holbrook also said he would be willing to meet with individuals about allegations of racial profiling and he takes pride in the Huntington Police Department's goal "to provide organizational transparency."

According to the HPD release, the Fairfield West Community represents seven percent of Huntington's area and 20 percent of the city's population. Prior to the Weed and Seed program, the area had 60 percent of the city's murders, 77 percent of prostitution arrests, 44 percent of adult drug crimes and 38 percent of juvenile drug crimes, the release states.

The NAACP said the African-American community continues to need the police to stop illegal activities such as prostitution and drug trafficking.

Latest Comments

Posted by: HEIP on Aug 12, 2010 at 12:59 AM

yes these people or you pople as the cops would refer to them are comitting crimes by selling drugs MOST OF THESE CHILDREN WHO ARE PEDDLING DRUGS CANT FIND A JOB AT THE LOCAL FAST FOOD RESTURANT THESE JOBS ARE TAKEN BY OTHERS WE KNOW THAT IT IS NOT ALWAYS WHAT YOU KNOW BUT WHO YOU KNOW . MOST COMPANIES AND POPLE WHO WORK FOR THEM ARE COMMITING CRIMES BUT THOSE ARE JUS{WHITE COLLAR CRIME} SOMETIMES THESE CRIME LEAD TO THE FINACIAL OR LETHAL DEATH OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE . YOU WOULD HAVE NO SELLERS .IF YOU HAD NO BUYER KNOW TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY THIS STATEMENT GOES OUT TO ALL INCLUDING MYSELF.YES I LIVE IN AMITYVILLE AND I HAVE SEEN RACIAL PROFILING WITH MY OWN EYES I LOVE THE IDEA THAT THE POLICE ARE TRYING TO CONTROL THE VIOLENCE WHY DON'T THE POLICE PULL OVER THE USER AS MUCH AS THEY PULL OVER THE DEALERS BOTH GROUPS OFINDIVIDUAL HAVE PROBLEMS THE USER AND ADDICTION THE DEALER UNABLE TO GET A JOB OR INABILITY TO GET A JOB. SOLUTION NOT BLAME EQUALS RESULTS
Posted by: Lisa on Nov 23, 2009 at 09:48 PM

The race card is not being used it's a fact that the black man will not get justice in Huntington. I for one saw this when my nephew Charles Blevins got Life in prison while the white man got a plea. I am white and my nephew is mixed and was called the black man 500x during trial..No justice for him or plea because his color..FACT
Posted by: Donna Lou on Nov 23, 2009 at 08:31 AM

Preacher, police not welcomed because he is not a member?Tell you what next time one of them are assulted beaten or shot,let them call the" members" to come help them. Mr.Holbrooke and the entire Huntington police department I salute you .GOOD JOB.
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