Streetwise Streetwise (March 30, 2005)

"Do you know about the two officers in Palo Alto who are on trial for police brutality? If so, how do you feel about it?"
@info: Question and interviews by Tai Khandaker. Photographs by Kevin Hagen. Asked in front of the Children's Zoo in Palo Alto.

Rob Steele

Zoo manager
Oxford Street, Palo Alto

"I need proof. I can't go by what they're saying in the papers, they can be slanted. I need to know all the facts before I can come to a conclusion one way or another."

Tamala Williams

Instructional aid
Wilton Street, Palo Alto

"I sat in the meetings. I knew a lady that complained six times and got a voice mail from the police department. It's not a big concern for them. I don't know the police anymore. They used to come into the community to talk to us. A lot has changed."

Bill Prainito

Broker
Oakhurst Street, Menlo Park

"I don't know much about it. It wouldn't surprise me to see it in Palo Alto. It wouldn't surprise me in any city, but I couldn't say how I feel about it without knowing all the details."

Frank Smithson

Kindergarten teacher
Elm Street, Redwood City

"I'm aware of it, but I've only heard a bit about it on the radio. I don't have enough facts to make a judgment, but I'm sure it's a very complex case."

Laleh Sadighi

Student
Palm Street, Palo Alto

"I haven't heard much about it. Racial profiling often leads to unfair treatment of people, though I do understand the incentives. Are the police officers going to be punished?"

Lasana Taylor

Teacher
San Antonio Street, Palo Alto

"I know about the case. Racial profiling is bad in any situation. There's a possibility that it can happen to me at any time, but I'm not paranoid about it."

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