A new Ramsey County policy on traffic stops is proving to be effective.
Instead of handing out tickets in Roseville, police can send a letter in the mail to tell the driver of the infraction, and guide them to where they can get resources to fix the taillight or pay for new tabs.
Roseville Police Chief Erika Scheider says the move has freed up the department.
“What is so crucial with this, is it frees up our officers to be on the streets, fighting crime, and focusing on the priorities of our community,” Scheider says.
In 2021, Ramsey County Attorney John Choi and others announced they would reduce traffic stops for nonpublic safety violations, like broken tail lights and expired tabs.
“This independent research shows we not only greatly reduced the unequal treatment of many in our community due to these stops, but also that law enforcement has been able to move scarce resources to more serious issues,’ said Choi. “At the same time police-community relations are being strengthened through the alternative notice letter and financial assistance program we’ve developed. I’m grateful to all of our partners in this work, particularly all the police chiefs who have provided leadership in trying new approaches to both build community trust and improve public safety.”
The reason was that people of color were being targeted more frequently. The research found that the number of traffic stops is down 86%, giving officers more time to focus on more serious crime.
Choi says his hopes going forward is that this type of program becomes common in other parts of Minnesota and beyond.
“I hope that people across our region and our state, and our country, are paying attention,” says Choi.
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