Unarmed public works officials could replace Berkeley Police officers in monitoring minor traffic violations pending approval of a proposal to be considered by the Berkeley City Council.
Berkeley City Council is set to consider a proposal to shift responsibility for conducting traffic stops away from the Berkeley Police Department and to unarmed public works officials. If adopted, the change will be implemented in next year's fiscal budget which also includes a $9.2 cut to the Police Department's budget, reports Kellen Browning.
Traffic stops are residents' most frequent contact with police in the United States, and Black and Hispanic drivers have historically been stopped disproportionately than whites due to racial profiling and bias. Central Connecticut State University researcher Ken Barone says that police often use stops for minor traffic offenses as justification for car searches. "Supporters of the plan point to the cases of several high-profile deaths of Black people after traffic stops, including Philando Castile, who was pulled over for a broken brake light, and Sandra Bland, who failed to signal a lane change," writes Browning.
FULL STORY: How Berkeley Could Remove the Police From Traffic Stops
Chicago Police Stop Seven Times as Many Black Drivers as White Motorists
A state-produced study of traffic stops in the city reveals that traffic stops in the city have risen sharply, with Black motorists pulled over at much higher rates than their white counterparts.
The Car-Centric World and the Ongoing Expansion of Police Powers
While cars are still equated with freedom of mobility and personal liberty, they've also offered courts the chance to expand police powers in the public realm, time and time again.
Report: Federal Policies to Make Traffic Enforcement More Equitable
Recommendations for how USDOT can guide more equitable traffic enforcement that improves traffic safety and protects vulnerable populations.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Austin's First Single Stair Apartment Building is Officially Underway
Eliminating the requirement for two staircases in multi-story residential buildings lets developers use smaller lots and more flexible designs to create denser housing.
Atlanta Bus System Redesign Will Nearly Triple Access
MARTA's Next Gen Bus Network will retool over 100 bus routes, expand frequent service.
Toronto Condo Sales Drop 75%
In two of Canada’s most expensive cities, more condos were built than ever — and sales are plummeting.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)