National

Police Killings Underscore Need for Reform

Published

11 years ago

February 10, 2015

People participate in a protest in response to the grand jury’s decision in the Eric Garner case in Times Square in New York, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014. The grand jury cleared the white New York City police officer Wednesday in the videotaped chokehold death of Garner, an unarmed black man, who had been stopped on suspicion of selling loose, untaxed cigarettes, a lawyer for the victim’s family said. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

By Freddie Allen
NNPA Senior Washington Correspondent

WASHINGTON (NNPA) – Blacks and Latinos are incarcerated at disproportionately higher rates in part because police target them for minor crimes, according a report titled, “Black Lives Matter: Eliminating Racial Inequity in the Criminal Justice System” by the Sentencing Project, a national, nonprofit group that advocates for criminal justice issues.

Researchers said disparities are punitive and can turn deadly over minor violations.

For example, Eric Garner, 43, was stopped and accused of selling untaxed cigarettes, a misdemeanor, before Officer Daniel Pantaleo choked him to death on a sidewalk of a Staten Island neighborhood. Officer Darren Wilson stopped 19-year-old Ferguson resident Michael Brown for jaywalking, before a disputed confrontation led to Wilson fatally shooting Brown.

Targeting low-level lawbreakers epitomizes “broken windows” policies popularized during William Bratton’s first tenure as commissioner of the New York Police Department under then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Mayor Bill de Blasio reappointed Bratton to that position and he remains “committed to this style of order-maintenance policing,” even though only spurious correlations to its efficacy in crime prevention remain.

The report said that “flawed research” plagued an early study cited by proponents of the “broken windows” policies.

“More recent studies have found that high misdemeanor arrest volume, high summons volume, and other factors, have had only a modest association or no association at all with the city’s violent crime drop,” stated the report. “‘Stop and frisk’ activity has also been shown to have no impact on precincts’ robbery and burglary rates.”

Racial disparities exist at every step in the criminal justice system, the report noted. That helps explain why Blacks and Latinos account for about 30 percent of the United States population, but 56 percent of the incarcerated population.

In Ferguson, police stopped White drivers for moving violations 68 percent of the time, and the majority of Black drivers were stopped for license or equipment problems, the report said. Once they were stopped, Black drivers were searched at almost twice the rate as White drivers (12 percent vs. 7 percent), but White drivers were more likely to have contraband than Blacks (34 percent vs. 22 percent).

“Yet blacks were twice as likely as whites to be arrested during a traffic stop (10 percent versus 5 percent),” the report continued, partly because, “black drivers were more likely to have arrest warrants compared to their white counterparts. Black drivers were more likely to have these warrants in part because of unpaid fines related to their disproportionate exposure to traffic enforcement.”

Nationally, Blacks and Hispanics are three times as likely to be searched by police during traffic stops.

“Blacks were twice as likely as whites to be arrested during a traffic stop,” state the report. “These patterns hold even though police officers generally have a lower ‘contraband hit rate’ when they search Black versus White drivers.”

“Almost 1 in 3 people arrested for drug law violations is black, although drug use rates do not differ by race and ethnicity. An ACLU report found that blacks were 3.7 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than whites in 2010,” stated the report. “This disparity expands at later stages of the criminal justice system so that 57% of people in state prisons for drug offenses are people of color, even though whites comprise over two-thirds of drug users, and are likely a similar proportion of sellers.”

The report continued: “Once arrested, people of color are also likely to be charged more harshly than whites; once charged, they are more likely to be convicted; and once convicted, they are more likely to face stiff sentences – all after accounting for relevant legal differences such as crime severity and criminal history.”

According to the report, these trends are driven by race-neutral laws that still have a significant have racial impact, criminal justice professionals influenced by racial bias, an underfunded criminal justice system, and policies that impose strict “collateral consequences” that make it harder for ex-offenders to return their home after prison.

If current incarceration trends hold, one in three Black teenage boys can anticipate going to prison in his lifetime, compared to one in 17 White boys. One in 18 Black women face the prospects of incarceration, compared to 1 in 111 White women.

“Federal prosecutors, for example, are twice as likely to charge African Americans with offenses that carry mandatory minimum sentences than otherwise-similar Whites,” the report said. “State prosecutors are also more likely to charge Black rather than similar White defendants under habitual offender laws.”

The report said that defense attorneys might show signs of racial bias in how they prioritize their caseloads, and all-White juries spend less time deliberating in cases than racially diverse ones. All-White juries are also more likely to seek the death penalty in capital trials.

“Because the criminal justice system is an institution that primarily reacts to – rather than prevents – crime, it is ill-equipped to address many of the underlying causes of crime,” stated the report. “But mass incarceration’s hold on vast public resources and the obstacles erected for people with criminal records further erode the economic and social buffers that prevent crime.”

The report recommended addressing the source of racial bias in the criminal justice system, revising draconian drug laws through reforms like the Fair Sentencing Act, establishing alternatives to incarceration for low-income youth, and redirecting public spending to crime prevention and drug treatment.

“The Fair Sentencing Act (FSA) of 2010 reduced from 100:1 to 18:1 the weight disparity in the amount of powder cocaine versus crack cocaine that triggers federal mandatory minimum sentences,” stated the report. “California recently eliminated the crack-cocaine sentencing disparity for certain offenses, and Missouri reduced its disparity. Thirteen states still impose different sentences for crack and cocaine offenses.”

More than 90 percent of ex-offenders complete their sentences and return to their communities, where they are often shut out of jobs and those with felony drug convictions are blocked from receiving federal aid like food stamps and publicly subsidized housing, the report said.

During a recent appearance on C-SPAN’s “Washington Journal,” Marc Mauer, the executive director for The Sentencing Project, said that there are hundreds of laws on the books in every state that restrict the ability of people coming out of prison to make ends meet once they return home.

Mauer added that the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission issued guidance to employers asking them to take a more nuanced approach to hiring.

“If we want people to succeed, we have to reconsider how we approach all these issues and not just say, ‘one size fits all. You have a conviction, that is it for you,’” said Mauer. “That doesn’t get us very far.”

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Gov. Gavin Newsom Signs Law Streamlining Affordable Housing Rules

The legislation builds on the governor’s efforts that have reversed decades of inaction on housing and homelessness — creating more homes and the largest reduction in unsheltered homelessness in more than 15 years.

Published

21 hours ago

July 24, 2026

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From left to right: Jesse Arreguín, Gov. Gavin Newsom, Sharon Quirk Silva, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, and Janelle Chan. Photo courtesy Sarah Henry.

In Oakland on July 13, Gov. Newsom signed AB 179 — the state’s new housing budget trailer bill that cuts red tape, modernizes how California finances affordable housing, and lowers the cost of building a unit by up to $70,000.

Oakland is the first pro-housing city in the Bay Area, and it’s not slowing down. Oakland is cutting through bureaucracy, unlocking new financing, and clearing the path for more affordable homes to get built faster.

Special thanks to East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBADC), State Assemblymember Sharon Quirk Silva, and California Housing and Community Development Director Gustavo Velasquez.

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Business

Smart Home Technology is Becoming a Tool for Preventing Property Damage

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Leak detectors, security systems, and connected alarms can warn owners before problems spread. See which smart home technology offers the greatest protection.

Published

2 days ago

July 23, 2026

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Connected leak detectors, alarms, cameras, and climate controls can warn owners before a small problem spreads. The strongest protection comes from systems that can also act, especially water monitors that automatically stop a leak.

A hidden pipe leak can soak floors before anyone sees a drop. A failed furnace can freeze plumbing overnight. A forgotten appliance can create a fire risk while the owner is away.

Modern home technology changes how owners respond to household risks. The relationship between home and technology now centers on prevention instead of reaction. Connected systems can watch for moisture, smoke, carbon monoxide, unusual access, temperature shifts, and electrical hazards.

Early warnings create time to act. Automated responses add another layer of protection. Remote access also helps owners respond while traveling or working.

Owners who choose the right tools may limit property damage and protect the home’s long-term condition.

How Can Smart Home Technology Prevent Property Damage?

A smart home is a residence that uses internet-connected devices for remote monitoring and control. Smart systems can prevent damage through:

Detection
Notification
Automatic action

A central app or hub may connect:

Sensors
Locks
Alarms
Thermostats
Appliances

Leak sensors can warn owners about moisture near:

Sinks
Water heaters
Washing machines
Sump pumps

Advanced systems can also close the main water valve.

Fast action can keep one failed hose from destroying property across several rooms. Owners may receive an alert within seconds, even when they are away from home.

Which Smart Home Devices Offer the Greatest Protection?

Water protection often provides the greatest direct benefit because leaks can spread quietly.

Whole-home monitors and automatic shutoff valves can detect unusual water flow. Some systems can stop the water supply when nobody is present.

Other valuable smart devices for the home include:

Connected smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
Security cameras
Door sensors
Smart locks
Temperature monitors

Protection improves when a device can send an alert and trigger a useful response.

Water Protection Gives Owners the Fastest Response

Water-related issues often escalate quickly, making early detection and response critical for minimizing damage. Understanding how to monitor and control water risks sets the foundation for the strategies discussed in the following sections.

Place Leak Sensors Near Common Failure Points

Real-time alerts can help owners respond before water harms building materials or supports mold growth. Place moisture sensors near:

Dishwashers
Toilets
Washing machines
Water heaters
Sump pumps
Sinks

Point sensors only cover nearby areas. Whole-home monitors track water flow or pressure throughout the property. Automatic shutoff systems offer stronger protection because they can stop continued leaking before an owner arrives.

A sensor provides a warning, while an automatic shutoff valve can directly limit the damage.

Monitor Freezing and Humidity Risks

A smartphone thermostat can warn an owner when indoor temperatures leave a safe range. Freeze alerts protect plumbing in:

Vacant homes
Rental properties
Seasonal residences

Humidity alerts may reveal an air-conditioning or ventilation failure before damp conditions support mold growth.

Connected Alarms Reduce Fire and Security Risks

Smart smoke and carbon monoxide alarms send warnings beyond the home. Remote alerts support faster action when nobody is present.

Some systems can:

Contact a monitoring service
Unlock doors for emergency responders
Shut down connected equipment
Turn on the lights during an emergency

Connected security systems combine:

Cameras
Motion sensors
Window alarms
Doorbells
Smart locks

Recorded footage may support a later insurance claim. Visible cameras and timed lighting may also discourage entry attempts.

Security technology cannot guarantee that a break-in will never happen. Early alerts can still help owners contact authorities, verify activity, and reduce the amount of time an intruder remains inside the property.

Build a System That Still Works During Failures

Dependable Wi-Fi is a starting point for connected devices. Owners should also plan for:

Outages
Weak signals
Dead batteries
Expired subscriptions
Failed software updates

A practical setup should include:

Local alarms, in addition to phone alerts
Battery or cellular backup, where available
Strong passwords and current firmware
Manual keys and water shutoff access
Updated emergency contact information

Unique passwords, regular updates, careful camera placement, and reputable products can reduce exposure.

Backup access also matters when a smart lock, mobile app, or network fails. Owners should always have a manual way to enter the property and control essential systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Smart Devices Lower Home Insurance Costs?

Some insurers offer discounts, rebates, or credits for approved leak detectors, alarms, monitoring services, and automatic shutoff systems. Requirements vary by:

Insurer
State
Property type
Device certification

Owners should confirm eligibility before purchasing equipment.

A discount should remain a secondary benefit. Preventing a loss carries more value because avoiding a claim can:

Protect the home
Reduce disruption
Prevent an insurance deductible

Resources from Shieldly Premier Insurance Solutions may help owners consider prevention tools as part of a broader property protection plan.

How Should Rental Property Owners Use Smart Sensors?

Rental owners should focus on devices that protect units and reduce maintenance delays. Water sensors can alert property managers before leaks become major repairs.

Smart locks may create temporary access codes for maintenance teams. Thermostats can also flag unsafe temperatures between tenants.

Owners should disclose connected equipment, follow privacy laws, and limit cameras to lawful exterior locations. Indoor cameras should never be used to monitor private tenant spaces.

What Cybersecurity Steps Protect Smart Home Systems?

Owners should change default passwords and enable multifactor authentication. Firmware and mobile applications should receive regular updates. A separate Wi-Fi network for connected devices can add protection when the router supports it.

Access for former residents, contractors, and service providers should be removed promptly. Owners should also review:

Application permissions
Video storage settings
Data-sharing policies

A secure hub matters because one weak device may expose other connected systems.

Use Home Technology to Strengthen Everyday Protection

Effective home technology gives owners earlier warnings and greater control. Leak detectors, automatic shutoff valves, connected alarms, security sensors, smart outlets, and climate monitors can limit damage when installed in the right locations.

No device removes every risk. Strong protection still requires regular maintenance, safe habits, updated insurance coverage, and a clear emergency plan.

Explore our other guides and articles for practical news about protecting homes, managing risks, and making informed property decisions.

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Volunteer Work for Black Americans Pays Off By Helping Others and Building Portfolios

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Volunteer work can be personally fulfilling and can even benefit your professional life. Learn about the perks of dedicating your time to helping others here.

Published

2 days ago

July 23, 2026

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Volunteer work can pay off for Black Americans by letting them experience personal fulfillment as they reach out, interact with, and help others in need. The charity work they engage in, whether it’s leadership, mentorship, or organizational roles, can also help them build their professional portfolio.

All those positive impacts, combined with the potential health and wellness benefits of volunteering, can help explain why many Americans engage in charitable work.

Per the latest U.S. Census Bureau and AmeriCorps’ biennial civic engagement survey, over 75.7 million Americans 16 years+ formally volunteered through an organization from September 2022 to September 2023. They dedicated 4.99 billion hours, which had an economic value of over $167.2 billion.

What Are the Primary Types of Volunteer Work?

There are several primary types of volunteer work, usually categorized based on commitment structure and type of volunteer services rendered. Three of the most common categories include: formal, informal, and skills-based volunteering.

Formal Volunteering

Formal volunteering involves partnering with a trustworthy, reputable, and licensed volunteer organization. It’s a highly structured approach, requiring dedicated commitment from volunteers and their chosen charitable nonprofit organization.

Formal charity workers can engage in opportunities that involve volunteering overseas, interstate, or locally. They undergo training, adhere to specific guidelines, and usually work on scheduled shifts.

Informal Volunteering

Informal volunteer opportunities are casual, flexible, and unstructured acts of kindness. They present themselves outside of formal organizational structures, directly benefiting recipients. They can be sudden and random or scheduled.

Skills-Based Volunteering

Skills-based volunteering gives professionals the chance to leverage their specialized trade, expertise, or talents to help individuals or organizations. With their help, nonprofits can save money and use the funds to support more charitable work.

What Are Examples of Volunteer Work?

A popular and common example of volunteer work is a food bank. Volunteers here can play various roles, including:

Cooks
Servers
Sorters
Inspectors
Drivers

Being a food bank volunteer is a type of formal volunteering. The food bank, in turn, is the nonprofit charitable organization that volunteers work with.

You can also find volunteer work in many other sectors, from childcare to healthcare, as noted by Involvement Volunteers International. Nonprofits also offer opportunities in community and education outreach programs.

As for informal volunteering, it can be something as simple yet impactful as running errands (e.g., mowing the lawn or picking up groceries) for a neighbor who’s older or has an injury or disability. It can also involve organizing a neighborhood cleanup or checking in on home-bound community members.

Members of the Black community interested in sharing their expertise may explore skills-based volunteering, too. One example is providing pro-bono legal counsel. Another is offering medical services at a community clinic in an underserved neighborhood.

How Does Volunteer Work Pay Off for Members of the Black Community?

An article published by the University of Maryland’s Do Good Institute in April 2026 noted that America is home to 1.9 million nonprofits. It also cited data from a 2025 Urban Institute research, which stated that 75% of these organizations say volunteers are integral to their operations, with 23% even being completely dependent on volunteers.

All those figures underscore the value of volunteer work, which not only benefits the recipients of the charitable service but also those who provide it. Here’s how volunteers from Black communities can reap the fruits of their philanthropic work.

Personal Fulfillment

Volunteer work gives Black Americans a way to experience personal fulfillment because it ties them to kinship networks. Such social connections and interactions can provide a profound sense of intrinsic joy, something brought about by the act of supporting neighbors and those in need while also advocating for equity.

There’s also a sense of fulfillment in being able to empower the next generation through volunteering services. Members of the Black community, for instance, can commit their time to skills-based volunteer work, which lets them pass down knowledge, share skills, and foster cultural pride.

Volunteering also comes with potential health benefits. As explained by the University of Kentucky, giving back can make people feel better, as it supports physical, mental, and emotional health. It noted the findings of studies that show a connection between regular volunteering and:

Lower rates of anxiety, depression, and loneliness
Higher life satisfaction and self-esteem
Lower blood pressure
Reduced inflammation
Improved heart health

Career Advancement and Portfolio Building

Volunteer work can open doors to career-advancing and skill-building opportunities. As members of the black community experience fulfillment and joy in helping others, they can also:

Gain hands-on experience in tasks or activities like project management and leadership
Close representation gaps, particularly in high-impact industries where there’s an underrepresentation of people of color
Forge vital connections (career, social, or networking)

Frequently Asked Questions

Where Are Volunteers Needed the Most?

The urgent need for volunteers often arises in areas that require crisis response and food security.

Natural disasters, for instance, often fuel the demand for volunteers, as they can cause sudden, widespread, and devastating effects that can overwhelm local professional responders and emergency services. They create an emergency need for extra hands to carry out tasks like food and water distribution, staffing emergency shelters, and search and rescue operations.

Areas with a high rate of food insecurity also welcome volunteers with open arms. In these scenarios, volunteers often assist with food preparation, packaging, sorting, and distribution.

What Is the Best Volunteering Activity?

There’s no “single” best volunteering activity, as it’s highly subjective and depends on a person’s specific interests, unique skills, and individual capacity.

In many cases, the most impactful and rewarding choices are those that align with someone’s passions, such as helping out at food banks or caring for animals at a shelter. It can also be sharing skills and knowledge through mentoring and leadership programs.

Consider Participating in Volunteer Work

While most volunteer work may not be lucrative, Black Americans who decide to participate in it often find it very rewarding and fulfilling. Giving back alone can already make you feel better, but it can also be a great way to develop and hone skills that can help advance your career or build your professional portfolio.

Read other informative guides like this or stay in the loop of the latest events in the Black community by checking out our most recent posts.