Philadelphia, marred by high crime rates, is set to no longer enforce minor traffic stops.
The policy is designed to promote “driving equity” and engender more favorable police-community relations. Mayor Jim Kenney is anticipated to sign the legislation, which the Philadelphia City Council approved, during the first week of November.
“Traffic stops are traumatic for drivers and scary for police officers,” said Councilman Isaiah Thomas on Sunday. “Limiting them makes everyone safer and communities stronger.”
#DrivingEquality reinforces that public safety can be achieved with other methods than traffic stops.
Traffic stops are traumatic for drivers and scary for police officers.
Limiting them makes everyone safer and communities stronger.https://t.co/l2wmrNmew6
— Councilmember Isaiah Thomas (@CMThomasPHL) October 31, 2021
The policy is an attempt to assuage minor traffic stops that lead to more serious police interactions, including those that end in violence, particularly ones that harm people of color.
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“These bills end the traffic stops that promote discrimination while keeping the traffic stops that promote public safety,” the city council said in a statement.
The legislation would decrease “negative [police] interactions that widen the divide and perpetuate mistrust,” the statement added.
