The implication of racism and excessive force used during an erroneous drug raid erupted at an Annapolis City Council meeting.
“There?s a new kind of racism directed at our Hispanic neighbors,” Annapolis resident Tony Evans said on Monday evening. “Most of them are legal residents, but people bring up illegalimmigrants as an excuse.”
Alderman David Cordle, R-Ward 5, who is the chief investigator for the Anne Arundel State?s Attorney Office, chastised Evans for convicting the police before the allegations were proven true.
“Do you know that police officers are humans?” Cordle said.
Police were supposed to raid apartment No. 301 at 901 Primrose Road but entered the same apartment number at 905 Primrose Road, where the residents are Hispanic.
Reports allege the officers kicked a man in the groin and pushed aside a pregnant woman.
The residents could not speak English and police communicated with them using a bilingual community specialist, reports stated.
Police have not confirmed those allegations.
However, Hispanic groups in Annapolis are less vocal.
Mary Schumaker, spokeswoman of Centro De Ayuda, a resource center that assists the Hispanic population, had no comment on the allegations, and no large outcry has occurred from the Hispanic community.
Her group gave legal help and other assistance to the family in the raided apartment. Attempts to reach the family?s lawyer, Carroll McCabe, were unsuccessful.
Alderman Julie Stankivic, I-Ward 6, lives near where the raid occurred, but she would not comment on the incident.
“I have no idea what happened there,” she said, but remarked that typical complaints she has received in the past 16 years pertain to loud music and groups drinking alcohol outside.
Stankivic did say Police Chief Joseph Johnson?s comments on the allegations of excessive force were reasonable.
At a glance
2000
» Anne Arundel?s total population: 489,656
» Hispanic population: 12,902
» Annapolis? population: 35,838
» Hispanic population: 2,301
2005
» Anne Arundel?s population: 494,676
» Hispanic population: 17,780
Annapolis demographics unavailable
Source: U.S. Census
