Valoria Armstrong

Even before two black men were fatally shot by police in July, complaints about racial inequality in Chattanooga frequently reached the local NAACP chapter, the group's president said.

Then 15-year-old Alonzo O'Kelley was shot by Chattanooga Housing Authority police and 32-year-old Alonzo Heyward was shot by Chattanooga police.

"The issues that took place back in July were definitely a huge spark for us to be able to engage the community, to engage the city, to be able to bring a lot of these issues to the forefront to start needed conversations," NAACP President Valoria Armstrong said.

She and other representatives plan to address perceived racial profiling and inequality at this afternoon's City Council Public Safety Committee meeting. Those perceptions stem from community outrage that erupted at recent meetings meant to update the public on NAACP investigations into the shootings, Ms. Armstrong said.

The city needs to address the general perception that Chattanooga and Hamilton County have major race problems, she said.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People cites a 2007 Justice Policy Institute study showing that, nationwide, minority residents are skeptical of police after "years of poor relationships" and "that people of color are disparately impacted by police activity is undeniable."

The Washington, D.C.-based institute is "committed to reducing society's reliance on incarceration," according to its Web site.

Chattanooga Police Chief Freeman Cooper said he plans to attend today's meeting and had no comment about the organization's references to statistics or conclusions drawn from the community meetings.

"At no time has the NAACP attempted to meet or talk with police officials regarding any concerns they may have," the chief said in a statement.

He said he has no knowledge of any racial profiling allegations involving officers, but that any complaint of excessive use of force is investigated fully.

The NAACP is asking city officials to address the issue by opening discussion about race, analyzing search-and-seizure data on residents and hiring officers from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

But the inequality extends beyond dealings with law enforcement, Ms. Armstrong said.

The city and county governments have "a terrible record of doing business with local, African-American, small-owned businesses," the NAACP states.

"There have been concerns just in general about the lack of opportunities for small business enterprises," Ms. Armstrong said.

Public Safety Committee Chairwoman Pam Ladd said the NAACP would have about 10 minutes to discuss its concerns today before council members asked questions.

"I think it's good when we partner with the community groups to better understand how we can strengthen communications and hopefully resolve misunderstandings before they occur," Ms. Ladd said.

City spokesman Richard Beeland said Chattanooga officials look forward to meeting with the NAACP and to following up any suggestions that come from the meeting.

He also noted that 35 percent of city employees are black.

"The city of Chattanooga makes every effort to be racially sensitive and to ensure that city employees conduct themselves in an appropriate, lawful and respectful manner," he said.

On Monday afternoon, Hamilton County spokesman Mike Dunne said he wanted to read the NAACP statement before commenting, but he did not call back after a copy of the statement was e-mailed to him.