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Blacks make up only 9% of population but account for more than 50% of Arrests

Police agencies in Kent County are "overwhelmingly and disproportionately" arresting blacks and other minority groups using vague obstruction of justice laws, according to a study of arrest records by the Grand Rapids Urban League. Community leaders say "hindering and opposing" and "obstruction of justice" charges are used by city, suburban and county police to arrest and jail blacks in alarming numbers compared to their share of the population. The effect is a justice system that works against Kent County residents and creates a chilling effect for citizens who question police actions, according to the report, which analyzes Kent County Jail data from June 6 through March 3. The Urban League released the report this morning. "The numbers slap you in the face, given that I know that more than half the jail population is African American," said the Rev. Walter Brame, Urban League president and chief executive. "It should not surprise, but when you look at who the arresting police agency is, I had not expected it to be so big." Community leaders planned to hold a press conference today calling for an investigation. The numbers compare census figures with obstruction arrests by the Sheriff's Department, Grand Rapids police and every other Kent County jurisdiction to gauge the proportion of minority arrests. Black residents make up 9 percent of the county population and 20 percent in Grand Rapids. Hispanics comprise 12.5 percent of the population in both the city and county. [more]