THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 2, 1995 TAG: 9503310244
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 07 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: On The Street
SOURCE: Bill Reed
LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
Cops have a tough job. Day in and day out they deal with the worst society has to offer.
Much of the time they handle things firmly and justly. There are slip-ups, to be sure - a little too much muscle here and there; occasional displays of arrogance and contempt for non-law enforcement types.
A bad apple surfaces now and then - someone without scruples is willing to compromise the badge for a few bucks or is too quick to use a gun or a baton or is prone to engage in mach-speed pursuits on crowded city streets.
It has become a trend, even fashionable, to bash cops who do even the most routine things in the line of duty.
All too frequently they're accused of ``racism,'' especially if they happen to be white and the object of their interest is black, Asian or Hispanic.
Viewed in historical context racism charges can be justified in far too many instances. From the infancy of the nation, when slavery was an accepted practice in the agrarian South, peace officers were the brutal instrument of the white oppression.
Tradition has kept their role alive to this day in every corner of the country, including Virginia Beach. For instance, Los Angeles police became instantly infamous worldwide after Rodney King was beaten up by a squad of club wielding cops. Rioting erupted in the streets of East L.A. when his attackers were acquitted of the resulting charges.
And racism charges have issued from the arrest of O.J. Simpson, who is black, for the brutal slayings last year of his estranged wife and her male friend, who were white. Simpson's defense attorneys now say a white Los Angeles detective was a known bigot who deliberately planted a bloody glove to frame O.J.
Here at the Beach the cops are being accused of racism in cracking down on ongoing problems at a Newtown Road nightspot known as Mr. Magic's. E. George Minns, an administrator for the company that owns the night club and president of the local chapter of the NAACP, says city police have been overzealous in trying to keep peace at the establishment because it is frequented mainly by blacks.
Keep in mind this is a place where, in the last few years, there have been numerous brawls, stabbings and shootings. Two of the shootings were fatal and allegedly stem from confrontations at Mr. Magic's.
Last year Virginia Beach police fielded 251 complaints resulting from shenanigans inside and outside of the club. From January through March 24 police were called 132 times to investigate troubles at the site. So far this year the cops have confiscated 16 guns from club patrons or their cars.
No other nightspot in town has required that much police attention, not even those lining ``the block'' on the Oceanfront. But taverns on ``the block'' have attracted lots of attention from city politicians and state ABC Board members because it is an alleged source of nighttime rowdyism at the resort.
One result: the ABC license of Alex Asercion, a Filipino-American who owns The Edge (one of four taverns on ``the block'') has been permanently yanked. His crime - he failed to meet state-mandated sales ratios for alcohol and food. As Asercion's case lingers in a state appeals court, no amount of cajoling or lawyering can convince ABC folks to return his license.
Asercion rightfully asks why he has been singled out for harsh sanctions when the owners of Mr. Magic's can continue to operate with impunity, no matter how much mayhem or how many ABC violations take place on or near their property.
He has a valid point. This is the '90s. Justice should be administered fairly and equally. What applies to The Edge should also apply to Mr. Magic's. Yowls of racism from Minns or anyone else shouldn't give the cops or state ABC officials an instant case of jelly spine. They should press on and do the right thing. by CNB