Chattanooga Pulse

The local chapter of the NAACP released a study claiming that Chattanooga and Hamilton County have a “major” race problem.

Executive Director Valoria Armstrong accused law enforcement of racial profiling, and further said that black-owned businesses are not treated fairly by local government.

Armstrong claims that blacks are sent to jail and prison for drug offenses much more often than whites.

“The city of Chattanooga makes every effort to be racially sensitive and to ensure that city employees conduct themselves in a an appropriate, lawful, and respectful manner,” a spokesman for Mayor Ron Littlefield said in a prepared statement released today. “Thirty-five percent of city employees are African American.  Community conservations regarding racial matters ultimately lead to positive outcomes. We are encouraged and look forward to the NAACP meeting with City Council members and any suggestions that come out of that meeting.”

Leaders of the civil rights group met today with the City Council’s Public Safety committee to discuss their findings.