University Will No Longer Describe Suspects’ Race in Public Safety Advisories

The University of Illinois, Chicago (UIC) reportedly said that its public safety advisories would no longer identify a suspect’s race so it could avoid perpetuating negative stereotypes.

On Wednedsay, Young America’s Foundation (YAF) reported on the announcement from January, which it learned about through its campus bias tip line.

{snip}

In a statement to YAF, spokeswoman Sherri McGinnis Gonzalez confirmed the new policy.

“The university no longer routinely uses race, ethnicity or national origin as a descriptor in public safety advisories. This decision was made after consulting with several members of the UIC community, including the UIC Police Department and our recently established Public Safety Board,” Gonzalez said.

{snip}

She also defended the decision as a “proactive progressive measure balancing public safety with the potential negative perpetuation of stereotypes.”

{snip}