When asked whether they want the police to spend more time, the same amount of time or less time than they currently do in their area, most Black Americans -- 61% -- want the police presence to remain the same. This is similar to the 67% of all U.S. adults preferring the status quo, including 71% of White Americans.Meanwhile, nearly equal proportions of Black Americans say they would like the police to spend more time in their area (20%) as say they'd like them to spend less time there (19%).Asian Americans are the most likely to want less police presence where they live, with 28% saying this. That contrasts with 12% of White Americans, 17% of Hispanic Americans and 19% of Black Americans.
If I may be permitted a modest interpretation, some 81% of Black Americans want the same or more police presence where they work and live. On the other hand, Black Americans and Asian Americans have higher levels of concern (compared to Hispanic and White Americans) that an interaction they might have with police can turn ugly.
The notion that Asian Americans want less police presence is surprising. It may be based on additional vehicular scrutiny. A LEO of my acquaintance has shared cop lore concerning "driving while Asian."
