Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport complaint: Racial Discrimination by Traffic Enforcer at Phoenix Sky Airport

I pulled up to arrivals in Terminal 4 to pick up my girlfriend. Upon arriving, there was an elderly gentleman waiting in front of me whose passenger (an elderly woman) had just walked out of the airport. The elderly couple’s car was blocking in two other vehicles preventing anyone from moving in the arrivals line. To help assist the process, I backed up my car so the elderly couple and the two vehicles who were waiting to leave couple do so without obstruction. While waiting for the elderly couple to pack up their luggage in their car, the officer (S413) pointed to my car and told me to leave. I pointed at the elderly couple who was blocking traffic. He then stood there and waited approximately 2 minutes for the elderly couple to leave. After the elderly couple pulled out, the two cars that were blocked in also left, creating lots of space to pull in. I replaced these cars as my girlfriend was about to walk out the door.

He then pointed at me again and told me to leave. I responded “my girlfriend is literally about to walk out the door.” He said it doesn’t matter and then pointed at the no parking sign in the arrivals area. I said she’s going to be here in less than 30 seconds. He then proceeded to walk to the rear of my vehicle to write a ticket. I pulled off across the cross walk and then parked my car again. He did not address any of the 4 cars who were also politely waiting behind me. At this point, I see my girlfriend walk out of the door where I was just waiting. Regardless, officer S413 proceeded to walk to my vehicle to continue to write a ticket. I pulled off again. My girlfriend is now having to chase the vehicle down to get in to the car.

Once she was in the vehicle I walked up to the officer and asked for his name. He said “S413.” I said “That’s not a name.” He said “that’s all you’re getting,” clearly not wanting to give his actual name for fear of retribution. He then repeated “S143” and said something to the effect of (paraphrasing) “Oh I know your kind.” I said “What’s that supposed to mean?” He then attempted to backtrack on his comments, saying something under his breath about (paraphrasing) “…armed with information.” I said “No, I’m just a human being. Be a decent fcking human being.” At no point did he address any of the other cars who were also waiting behind me. He did not address the elderly couple that was blocking traffic. It was clear to me that I had been singled out as a black man once I heard his comments about “your kind.” No one should have to experience this kind of abuse and discrimination anywhere, let alone picking up their loved ones from the airport.