THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 21, 1997 TAG: 9702210012
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Opinion
SOURCE: BY PATRICIA JORDAN
LENGTH: 45 lines
As a recent director of a successful, award-winning homeless-shelter program, I was saddened by the Feb. 15 front-page article detailing Larchmont's concern about individuals employed by Chanello's pizza to deliver door-hanger advertisements (``Controversy in Larchmont'').
I worked very hard to get businesses in my former community to hire homeless people, many of whom had criminal records, and the majority of those individuals went on to attain and maintain both employment and housing.
In terms of the Larchmont experience, which, by the way, is where I happen to live, I was quite aware of the Chanello's employees, spoke to some of them and never felt threathened. (Almost all were African-American males.)
Considering that I recently received a flyer in my mailbox instructing residents of Larchmont to call 911 if they saw a black man with jeans, shaved head and gold tooth who ``enters Larchmont via the Colley Avenue bridge,'' I am not surprised. He apparently was wanted for something, but that was not explained, nor did the writers seem to understand that the description described many African-American males of many professions and backgrounds.
What does intrigue me is that the police were able to conduct background checks. On what basis? In order to protect a low-income person whom I've been assisting in a low-income neighborhood and who had his TV stolen, I recently gave Norfolk police the address of a crack house, offered them details and told them I would be willing to supply names. I was told there was no basis for questioning the tenants. When I mentioned the phrase ``probable cause,'' I was scorned.
It seems to come down to this: If you're living in Larchmont, African-American males may be questioned merely for ``entering'' the community. If you live in a low-income, crack-infested neighborhood, protection based on probable cause is impossible.
Having lived in a truly diverse community, I cringe when I hear about Norfolk's ``diversity.'' It is incredibly segregated, and many programs that attempt to assist those who wish to become productive are stymied.
How sad! MEMO: Patricia Jordan is a Larchmont resident and a former director of a
program for the homeless in Iowa.Patricia Jordan is a Larchmont resident
and a former director of a program for the homeless in Iowa.