Trayvon Martin Case Sparks New Sanford Police Oversight System
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
By: Nicole Creston

Mar 27, 2012 | WMFE - Sanford city officials are responding to accusations that police habitually mistreat black residents. The shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin has sparked other Sanford citizens to speak out.

[Image: Trayvon Martin's parents and attorney Benjamin Crump, at right, speak at Monday's Sanford City Commission meeting]

City manager Norton Bonaparte Junior says he's concerned about the number of black Sanford residents who shared personal stories of unfair police treatment at Monday night’s city commission meeting.

“So, I am now in the process of talking with the Department of Justice and instituting a mechanism whereby citizens that have concerns or complaints about the Sanford Police Department can have their concerns heard and investigated by an independent agency,” Bonaparte announced today.

Hundreds of protesters marched to Monday's meeting to say distrust of Sanford police will grow until Trayvon Martin’s shooter is arrested.

The 28-year-old neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman says he shot the unarmed teen in self-defense.