The Biden-Harris Equity Commission has pledged $20 million to disarm traffic officers, aiming for safer and more equitable traffic stops.
At a Glance
- Biden-Harris commission proposes a $20 million pilot program to disarm traffic police.
- 134 police officers were shot at during traffic stops from 2021 to 2023.
- Advisory Committee suggests traffic cops do not need guns or tasers.
- Traffic stops are one of the most dangerous police activities.
Biden-Harris Plan for Safer Traffic Stops
The Equity Commission, under the Biden-Harris administration, has put forth a $20 million plan to disarm traffic police officers. This initiative is part of their broader effort to promote justice and address concerns over police conduct during traffic stops, particularly towards marginalized communities. The commission intends to reallocate significant funding to foster trust between the public and law enforcement.
This controversial decision stems from increasing scrutiny of police violence during routine traffic stops. The initiative hopes to reduce confrontations by removing firearms from traffic enforcement officers. The White House has not yet addressed the potential risks this could pose to officers themselves.
Advisory Committee’s Recommendations and Background
The Advisory Committee on Transportation Equity, revived by Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, has been vocal about the need for such reforms. “Citing a driver for having a broken taillight, forgetting to use a turn signal, or even failing to stop at a stop sign, does not require the use of a gun, taser, or similar tool,” the commission said. Their recommendations are influenced by previous data showing that Black and Brown individuals face disproportionate violence during traffic stops.
“Citing a driver for having a broken taillight, forgetting to use a turn signal, or even failing to stop at a stop sign, does not require the use of a gun, taser, or similar tool,” the commission said.
Critics argue that disarming officers does not address the core issues of justice system reform. Traffic stops remain the third-deadliest police activity since January 2021, with 134 officers fired upon and 23 killed. The commission, however, chose to focus primarily on police violence towards civilians in their findings.
Wider Implications and Future of Policing
Beyond the Equity Commission’s initiative, the Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets for All (SS4A) program seeks to foster community-level safety innovations. This program, funded at $5 billion over five years, defines new strategies for roadway safety without heavy reliance on police enforcement.
SS4A intends to provide planning and demonstration grants to improve safety and address racial disparities in traffic enforcement. Reforms in cities like Fayetteville, NC, and New Haven, CT, have shown reductions in traffic fatalities and racial disparities during stops, providing a model for other communities to follow.
President Biden’s comprehensive Safer America Plan also includes $37 billion to support law enforcement training, community policing, and crime prevention programs. The plan emphasizes mental health and substance use treatment services to create safer communities and improve police-civilian interactions.
