Black and Latino/a Youths’ Police Interactions in Newark, New Jersey

• In Event: Examining Newark, New Jersey: Street Drug Markets, Violent Crime Places, and Police Interactions

Abstract

Prior research indicates that youth of color have the most frequent and negative police contacts. This issue is of particular importance given recent tragedies occurring across the United States involving police killing minority teens. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 49 Black and Latino/a Newark, New Jersey youth to examine in-depth, their involuntary police contacts. Study findings reveal the nature and extent of study participants’ police experiences. Further, the research demonstrates how respondents reconcile officers’ dubious actions and the implications for improved police-minority community relations.

Author

• Kashea Pegram, Rutgers University