Stop Police Harassment

Chief Louis Cavallo
Lt. James Fondo, Executive Officer
701 SW 71 Avenue
North Lauderdale FL 33068

PROFESSIONAL COMPLIANCE (INTERNAL AFFAIRS) 321-1100
ROMARK BUILDING
3521 W BROWARD BLVD., SUITE 101
FORT LADUERDALE, FLORIDA

The Police Complaint Center
1220 L Street N.W. Suite 100-164
Washington, DC, 20005

NAACP/North Broward
2061 North Dixie Highway
Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Dear Chief Louis Cavallo,

As a concerned resident of North Lauderdale, I am writing about the problem of racial profiling. Some officers stop motorists based solely on their race or ethnicity, thus violating their civil rights. I urge you to take action now to address this problem in our community by deciding to have your force voluntarily collect racial data at all stops of citizens.

Recently, I have been stopped by one of your officers, in fact on numerous occasions for no apparent reason. Maybe because I am an African American college student that drives a 2004 black Honda or maybe I look and fit the description of a young African American female that sells drugs in the community. Whatever the reason may be I do not appreciate being interrogated by your officers at not probable cause.

The most recent experienced happened on October 25, 2006. I was parked at my friends house, ready to exit my car, while office Perez blocked my car and began to ask me questions that were so inappropriate and uncalled for. He told me he could take me to jail for not wearing my glasses, mind you I was parked and getting ready to exit my car, when I saw him approach my window. He later asked me if the vehicle I was driving belonged to me and made smart remarks to my friend as she was getting in my car.

I find all this to be out of line. This is not the first time I had to go through this with one of your undercover officers. Their conduct is not appropriate and definitely it is not professional. I am asking that you take this matter seriously and speak to the officers in your department because the next step in this matter will be a civil law suit. I will also be forwarding this letter to the NAACP, Internal Affairs, The Police Complaint Center and the local news department. I also have a petition in progress.

Sincerely,

Stephanie St. Cloud