New Jersey's Attorney General Unleashes Fury on Clark Township Over Alleged Racial Profiling of Black Drivers
A lawsuit filed by New Jersey's attorney general's office accuses the mayor of Clark, a predominantly white township, of instructing police to engage in discriminatory practices that systematically targeted Black drivers. The complaint alleges that former Mayor Salvatore Bonaccorso told officers to "keep chasing the spooks out of town," using a racial slur to refer to African Americans.
The allegations date back five years, when community members first raised concerns about misconduct within the Clark Police Department. The township's police department was subsequently placed under state control by the Union County prosecutor's office, which released a report in 2023 that found evidence of discriminatory policing practices and referred the matter for further investigation.
Bonaccorso has previously faced criticism after being recorded using racial slurs against Black people and making comments about never hiring female police officers. However, it appears he took his racist views to an even more sinister level by instructing police to target Black drivers.
According to the complaint, Clark police used false claims, such as alleged marijuana odor, to justify stopping drivers, particularly those from Black and Hispanic communities. The majority of stops were concentrated on roadways that connected Clark to nearby Garden State Parkway and Rahway and Linden, areas with larger Black and Hispanic populations.
An analysis of traffic stop data revealed that over 37% of drivers stopped by Clark police were Black or Hispanic, despite these groups making up less than 11% of the township's population. The lawsuit also alleges that more than half of stops made outside the township's boundaries targeted Black or Hispanic drivers.
The investigation found that Bonaccorso and police leadership used racial slurs when referring to Black and Hispanic people, and that the practices were part of a long-standing "sundown town" culture in Clark. This term refers to a place where local leaders engage in intimidation and aggressive policing to keep non-white residents out.
The lawsuit comes as a result of this investigation, which found that many Black drivers avoided driving through Clark altogether due to fear of racial profiling and harassment. The former mayor, police chief, and police director are all named as defendants, but none have responded to requests for comment.
This is just the latest in a string of high-profile cases highlighting systemic racism within law enforcement agencies across the United States. As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen whether these allegations will lead to meaningful reforms or further exacerbate existing tensions between communities and the police.
A lawsuit filed by New Jersey's attorney general's office accuses the mayor of Clark, a predominantly white township, of instructing police to engage in discriminatory practices that systematically targeted Black drivers. The complaint alleges that former Mayor Salvatore Bonaccorso told officers to "keep chasing the spooks out of town," using a racial slur to refer to African Americans.
The allegations date back five years, when community members first raised concerns about misconduct within the Clark Police Department. The township's police department was subsequently placed under state control by the Union County prosecutor's office, which released a report in 2023 that found evidence of discriminatory policing practices and referred the matter for further investigation.
Bonaccorso has previously faced criticism after being recorded using racial slurs against Black people and making comments about never hiring female police officers. However, it appears he took his racist views to an even more sinister level by instructing police to target Black drivers.
According to the complaint, Clark police used false claims, such as alleged marijuana odor, to justify stopping drivers, particularly those from Black and Hispanic communities. The majority of stops were concentrated on roadways that connected Clark to nearby Garden State Parkway and Rahway and Linden, areas with larger Black and Hispanic populations.
An analysis of traffic stop data revealed that over 37% of drivers stopped by Clark police were Black or Hispanic, despite these groups making up less than 11% of the township's population. The lawsuit also alleges that more than half of stops made outside the township's boundaries targeted Black or Hispanic drivers.
The investigation found that Bonaccorso and police leadership used racial slurs when referring to Black and Hispanic people, and that the practices were part of a long-standing "sundown town" culture in Clark. This term refers to a place where local leaders engage in intimidation and aggressive policing to keep non-white residents out.
The lawsuit comes as a result of this investigation, which found that many Black drivers avoided driving through Clark altogether due to fear of racial profiling and harassment. The former mayor, police chief, and police director are all named as defendants, but none have responded to requests for comment.
This is just the latest in a string of high-profile cases highlighting systemic racism within law enforcement agencies across the United States. As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen whether these allegations will lead to meaningful reforms or further exacerbate existing tensions between communities and the police.
I cant even imagine having to drive through Clark Township because you're scared of being stopped by the cops just 'cause of your skin color! The idea that they were using racial slurs to keep black people out is just WOW, IT MAKES MY BLOOD BOIL!!! 
How did this go on for so long?! Five years and it took some one to speak up. I hope the mayor and all the other defendants get what's coming to them and we see real change happen in Clark Township ASAP!! 
we need real reforms here, like police training programs that focus on diversity and sensitivity, and accountability measures for law enforcement officials who engage in discriminatory behavior 
and it's not only hurtful but also super unfair. the fact that black drivers were being targeted because of their skin color is just heartbreaking 
So another town trying to cover up its racist past... this whole thing is just a mess 
. The investigation found that 37% of stopped cars were Black or Hispanic, but only 11% of the population is even from those groups... it's all just a numbers game, folks 
. And don't even get me started on the "sundown town" culture - like, isn't that just code for white people not wanting to live with non-white neighbors? 
. Anyway, I'm sure Bonaccorso and his crew will be singing a different tune when they're facing actual consequences for their actions... let's see how long it takes them to get held accountable 
.
it's not right that people are being targeted because of the color of their skin 
let's keep pushing forward until we see real change happen 
which is just disgusting. i mean, we all know about systemic racism within law enforcement, but this is just ridiculous. the investigation found that black drivers were 3x more likely to get stopped and harassed, even outside of the township's boundaries 
it's like they're trying to keep black people outta town or somethin' 
the fact that they were able to get away with it for so long is just crazy 
i'm all for holding people accountable, but this seems like a pretty clear-cut case of racism 
and the data showing 37% of stopped drivers were black or hispanic despite making up less than 11% of the population? wild 
it's like they're literally trying to gaslight the community into thinking they're not being targeted, meanwhile they're over here getting away with this blatant racism 
especially black drivers who are already at a higher risk of being pulled over or worse. it's not just about the individual officers but also about the culture of the department as a whole which allows this kind of behavior to flourish we need real reform & accountability here ASAP 
Is this some kind of historical thing that we just keep repeating? 
. We need to hold people in power accountable for their actions and make sure justice is served 
. Can't wait to see what happens next 
#JusticeForBlackDrivers #EndSystemicRacism #ClarkTownshipMustChange