By The FirstThe City of Ann Arbor is now the first town in Michigan to ban ‘traffic stops’ to ‘combat racial disparities and profiling.’
From ABC News Detroit:
In an effort to combat racial disparities and profiling, the city of Ann Arbor is planning to set an example as the first city in Michigan to curb certain types of traffic stops.
The move comes after a research study by Eastern Michigan University, and numerous citizens who shared their experiences at a public meeting.
The new proposal could mean big changes for policing in Ann Arbor, and it starts with the types of violations to warrant traffic stops.
“I was pulled over in Ann Arbor and told it was because I had a hanging handicapped placard,” said Lisa Jackson, former chair of the Ann Arbor Independent Community Police Oversight Commission.
Jackson worked closely with city council, which recently voted 9-0 for an initial OK to the first driving equality ordinance in the state.
“African American male drivers are up to 500% more likely to be stopped than would be suggested by data,” Jackson said.
