Exposing the Fairness Gap: Setting the Record Straight on Hispanic Family Safety

Hispanics Across America (HAA) released a new study today called “Exposing the Fairness Gap: Setting the Record Straight on Hispanic Family Safety” detailing the percentage of Hispanic officers in New York State police precincts in areas with high Hispanic populations.

Fernando Mateo, President of HAA said, “We have always believed that Hispanics were not adequately represented in the police force. The results of our research supported all of our worst fears about inadequate Hispanic representation in police precincts throughout the State.  Elmsford did not even have one Hispanic officer in its precinct – an astounding fact given that the municipality in 23.3% Hispanic.”

The study reported on a number of communities in Westchester County and Long Island, such as Portchester Village which is 46.2% Hispanic with a 11% Hispanic police force and Hempstead Village which is 31.8% Hispanic with a paltry 5% Hispanic police force. HAA also found that while Hispanics made up 25% to 30% of the residents in Freeport Village, Hempstead Village and Middletown City, all three communities had less than 10% Hispanic police representation.

“Now that we are armed with the facts, we must work toward using this information to create real solutions to what has clearly been proven a real problem.  We know it’s possible.  For example, Haverstraw Village’s police department is 37.5% Hispanic,” said Mateo. 

The study proposed a set of policy recommendations, urging the State to support various initiatives including using current Hispanic police officers in recruitment programs and other related law enforcement events, and publicizing information on the Police Officer Examination and other recruitment-related events by working with local Hispanic community organizations and placing advertisements in newspapers that are read by Hispanics.

Mateo said, “We have seen whole families, including young children, grow up distrusting and even hating police officers because their father or brother had been injured or killed by an officer for what they believe were dubious reasons. We have seen good, hard-working immigrants who came to America for a better life chose silence and trepidation rather than action and protection after being victimized by violent and prejudiced attacks.  We have seen growth in anger and preventable violence and it has to stop.”

View Study (PDF File)

HAA encorages all to cheer for Alex Rodriguezl.

Hispanics Across America and its president Fernando Mateo is encouraging all
Yankee fans to get behind A Rod in a show of support that demonstrates to
him that we appreciate who he is, and what he stands for as a Yankee and as
a great Latin American Ballplayer.

HAA looking to get Roberto Clemente's number retired throughout Major League Baseball.

Hispanics Across America President Fernando Mateo has launched a national campaign aimed at getting Roberto Clemente’s number 21 retired in the same manner which baseball has retired Jackie Robinson’s number. Clemente who is looked upon as a pioneer for all Hispanic baseball players and an ambassador by all Latinos around the world, has all the credentials to be given this honor statistically as a Hall of Famer and as a Humanitarian. A web site has been created to help garner the support of all fans around the world in our quest to get this great honor accomplished. You can log on to www.retireclemente21.com to register your support to this cause.

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PDF Files
HAA ACTION Program, Exposing the Fairness Gap, Proposal for Licensing Undocumented Drivers in NY ...