Welcome to our September newsletter! Last September we addressed policy changes implemented by the Ramsey County, Minnesota County Attorney, John Choi. County Attorney Choi announced he would not prosecute cases stemming from “non-public safety traffic stops” in 2021. Later analysis reflected a reduction in the racial disparities observed with these stops without an increase in crime. This month County Attorney Mary Moriarity of neighboring Hennepin County, Minnesota, (which includes Minneapolis) announced her office would no longer prosecute cases emanating from non-public safety traffic stops. “The Press and News” quoted her: Non-public safety traffic stops do not protect public safety, and they actively harm our community, particularly our Black and Brown community members…Speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence, and blowing through stop signs threatens public safety and kills Minnesotans. We will continue to prosecute felony cases resulting from dangerous driving behavior. In that same article, the utility and harm of these non-safety stops was reviewed. The article cited the failure of these stops to produce observable differences in public safety. The Press & News reported, In its 2023 report on its investigation of the Minneapolis Police Department, the U.S. Department of Justice found that only 0.3% of Minneapolis Police Department traffic stops resulted in the recovery of weapons. With respect to racial disparities, the article noted that in a 2023 report on the Minneapolis Police Department, the U.S. Department of Justice also found that “Black drivers are 6.5 times more likely to be stopped, 1.5 times more likely to receive a citation, and 12.8 times more likely to have their vehicles searched.” In its opposition to the proposed changes, a Hennepin County sheriff noted at a press conference on Friday, September 19, that deputies had conducted numerous traffic stops this year, citing statistics. But those statistics do not prove the law enforcement success that they were offered for. Sheriff Witt did not address the harms caused by these stops, nor did she specify that any guns were recovered during non-safety stops. And more importantly, of more than 93,000 stops, there were less than .2 percent that resulted in seizure of weapons – which might also have been knives or other illegal items. The numbers cited by Witt also beg certain questions – if tens of thousands of stops result in a warning, are those the non-safety stops? Who was warned and who was ticketed? As we hear objections from those who wish to preserve this harmful, archaic and statistically unsupportable method of policing, we must all make sure we are not overwhelmed by statistics and numbers that may sound significant but ultimately reflect the error of these policies. Thank you for your support. Sincerely, Jill Paperno | 
