$20 Million Plan Aims to Transform Traffic Policing Under New Commission

President Biden’s $20 million initiative to disarm traffic police has sparked a heated debate over safety and justice reform.

At a Glance

134 police officers were fired upon during traffic stops from 2021-2023.
Biden-Harris Equity Commission proposes a $20 million pilot program for unarmed traffic enforcement.
Justice Department statistics identify traffic stops as one of the most dangerous police activities.
Initiative aims to reduce police violence, especially against Black and Brown individuals.
The Safe Streets for All program supports innovative roadway safety reforms.

The Proposed Initiative

The Biden-Harris Equity Commission has proposed a $20 million initiative to disarm traffic police officers. This pilot program aims to promote safer and more equitable policing practices by mitigating the disproportionate use of force during traffic stops. The initiative aligns with the administration’s broader commitments to justice reform and equity, focusing on reducing instances of violence and enhancing trust between law enforcement and communities.

Safety Concerns for Police Officers

Disarming traffic police raises significant safety concerns. From 2021 to 2023, criminals opened fire on at least 134 police officers during routine traffic stops. According to Justice Department statistics, traffic stops are among the most dangerous activities for police officers, ranking as the third-deadliest since January 2021, with 23 officers killed. These statistics underscore the inherent risks law enforcement faces during such encounters.

More defunding the police from Harris. Biden-Harris Equity Commission Wants To Spend $20 Million To Disarm Traffic Cops #MAGA #Trump202 https://t.co/6vJHzmA6tC

— infini_dee_ (@AnBeOnd) August 26, 2024

Despite these dangers, the commission’s report focuses primarily on mitigating police violence during traffic stops, especially against Black and Brown individuals. “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 stated.

Equity and Justice Reform

The revival of the Advisory Committee on Transportation Equity, set to address the impact of transportation infrastructure on various social issues, reflects a broader strategy. Initially formed during the Obama administration, disbanded during the Trump administration, and revived by Pete Buttigieg in August 2023, the committee underscores a continued effort to integrate equity into all facets of transportation policy.

The Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets for All (SS4A) program aims to support community-level innovations in roadway safety, including rethinking traffic enforcement strategies. “We should all agree the answer is not to defund the police. It’s to fund the police. Fund them with the resources and training they need to protect our communities,” President Biden noted in the Safer America Plan, which marks a $37 billion investment in support of law enforcement and crime prevention.

Community Impact and Future Perspectives

The SS4A program encourages local jurisdictions to implement reforms that restrict traffic stops for low-level violations and prioritize safety-focused enforcement. Examples from Fayetteville, NC, and New Haven, CT, show successful reforms with reductions in traffic fatalities, crashes, and racial disparities in traffic stops. These local innovations support a broader goal of enhancing roadway safety while reducing reliance on armed enforcement.

Critically, reform advocates argue that strategies for safety can include diverse interventions beyond traditional policing. The Safe System Approach emphasizes better roadway design and other interventions to prevent crashes, thereby minimizing the need for police enforcement.

While the initiative has noble goals of reducing violence and enhancing equity, it must navigate the complex balance between protecting law enforcement officers and promoting community safety.

As the debate continues, the success of this $20 million initiative may depend on its ability to address the valid concerns of all stakeholders while striving to create a safer and more just policing environment for everyone.