Berkeley votes to limit low-level traffic stops to reduce policing disparities

February 24 2021

From the article: "...An analysis in 2018 undertaken by the Center for Policing Equity in partnership with the city found that Black and Hispanic drivers and pedestrians stopped by police in Berkeley were searched at much higher rates than white ones but were about half as likely to be arrested afterward. The researchers said this raised questions about whether Berkeley police might reconsider aspects of how they do their work and whether bias may be playing a role.

But researchers also said it was difficult to interpret the data because a key piece of information — whether contraband such as drugs or weapons had been seized during the stop — was not being tracked in Berkeley..."

By Emilie Raguso

Continue reading the article on Berkeleyside.