Story Published:
Jul 24, 2009 at 5:48 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Jul 24, 2009 at 6:18 PM CDT
New details and developments continue to emerge in the story of an African American Harvard professor arrested in his home.
But while the back-and-forth rages on in Boston, this controversial case has eyes across the country taking a closer look at racial profiling in police work, including in Peoria.
It's a story that has captivated the nation.
"I asked him if he could step outside and speak with me and he said 'no I will not'," said the Boston Police officer who arrested Harvard professor Henry Gates, James Crowley on Thursday.
While the debate surrounding the arrest of Gates continues, one Peoria man feels it's a story that hits very close to home, literally.
"I stopped right here in my driveway, and I rolled the window down to take the keys from him, and right at that moment the police pulls up," said Bobby Roberston.
39-year-old Robertson says he and his roommate were exchanging keys outside their home late one June night when a police officer pulled up next to them.
Robertson says within minutes he was ticketed for a noise violation, though he says his radio volume was low, and illegal transport of alcohol after the officer found an empty beer bottle in the back row of his suburban. According to Robertson, the bottle was found as police searched his vehicle without probable cause. The officer then had the car towed.
"I was upset because it's just money out of my pocket when I'm not doing anything," said Robertson.
Peoria Police declined to go on camera, basically saying if they defended every disputed ticket through the media, their workday would never end. A spokesman did say if Robertson wants, he should contest his ticket, which he plans on doing, maybe, with a little help.
Robertson filed a report with the Peoria Police and with the local NAACP. NAACP officials say his story is all too common.
"Historically a majority of those tickets are written against African Americans so it's targeted, and it's racial profiling at its worst," said Donald Jackson, President of the local NAACP.
Common or not, it's an eye opening incident according to Bobby Robertson.
"There is so much incriminating stuff that goes on that's visible, and it's like no one seems to notice that," he said.
Wednesday, Jul 29 at 6:27 PM white woman wrote ...
When my interracial family bought a house without informing the white neighbors, they called the police as my black husband, our biracial child and his mother were inspecting the inside of the house. They heard a knock on the door and when he answered it, he was confronted by 3 police officers with guns drawn. He told the officers he had bought the house, gave them the key to use in the door lock, and was told that they were called on a suspected burgulary. So much for nosey neighbors.