B-PEP calls on officials to ‘immediately’ end various traffic stops
The Black Political Empowerment Project is calling for changes in local policing and asking that several types of police traffic stops be halted “immediately” to avoid tragedies like the recent death of Daunte Wright outside Minneapolis.
Tim Stevens, B-PEP chairman and CEO, issued a statement Tuesday — the same day that former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murdering another Black man, George Floyd — directed at Pittsburgh police, Mayor Bill Peduto’s office and other city and county officials. In it, Mr. Stevens acknowledged that city police have already begun reviewing their use-of-force policies, but he urged them to make that review an even “higher priority.”
“We are calling for political leaders and the heads of police departments in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County to help prevent future unnecessary arrests and deaths resulting from what historically has been referred to as ‘routine traffic stops,’ ” Mr. Stevens said in the statement. “The Black Political Empowerment Project is in fact urging all police departments in our area to take whatever steps are necessary to immediately suspend traffic stops.”
Wright was shot and killed by Minneapolis police on April 11 after being pulled over due to an expired vehicle registration. And while Floyd’s death didn’t occur during a traffic stop — his interaction with police began when he was questioned about a counterfeit bill — much of Mr. Stevens’ statement was framed in the context of the Black community being disproportionately targeted by police.
In its request, B-PEP asked that police discontinue traffic stops for the following infractions: out-of-date tags or plates; broken taillights; partially obscured license plates; failure to use turn signals; failure to stop at stop signs; going through stop lights; failure to obey “yield” signs; driving over the speed limit; failure to slow down in and around construction sites; passing in a “no passing” zone; failure to stop at a railroad crossing; ignoring “No U Turn” signs; failure to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk; and failure to stop for school buses with flashing red lights.
A spokesman with Mr. Peduto’s office declined to comment directly on B-PEP’s demands.
“Mayor Peduto has long worked with Tim Stevens and B-PEP on police reform issues and will review their latest request,” mayoral spokesman Timothy McNulty said via email Wednesday.
City police said they received B-PEP’s recommendations Tuesday and plan to review them, according to Pittsburgh police spokeswoman Cara Cruz.
Mr. Stevens also requested an “in-depth and exhaustive study” of additional routine stops by police that could be suspended.
Beth Pittinger, executive director of Pittsburgh’s Citizen Police Review Board, said the board supports anything intended to improve relations between the community and police.
“If I’m driving down the road and my taillight is out, send me a ticket,” Ms. Pittinger said Wednesday. “Some of these requests are based on state laws that are intended to protect people.
“But there are some occasions where an officer at his or her discretion can choose to let things go. Someone running a stop sign is different from someone running a red light and hitting someone. B-PEP’s requests are consistent with actions that could be taken to reduce escalated engagements that could lead to poor outcomes. There’s a huge consistency between fatal outcomes and these types of traffic stops.”
B-PEP also suggested that in lieu of traffic stops, a summons be sent to drivers to appear in Traffic Court to explain their actions. Magistrates should decide the appropriate action — whether it’s dismissal of the case, a fine or orders for certain time-oriented actions, Mr. Stevens said Tuesday.
“In our opinion these recommendations will significantly reduce the opportunities for negative interactions between citizens and police, and in turn, will provide much more time for police officers to investigate violent crime and other types of crime which might very negatively impact our communities,” Mr. Stevens said.