New data: Reducing low-level traffic stops decreases racial disparity, increases percentage stopped for safety violations in Ramsey County

The Ramsey County Attorney’s office revealed the first-year results of a newer traffic stop policy specific to the county. A year and a half ago, Ramsey County Attorney John Choi said he would no longer prosecute felony cases that stem from low-level traffic stops. Since then, four police departments have directed their officers not to stop drivers solely for vehicle equipment violations, which include minor offenses like tinted windshields or expired registration tabs. The change was born primarily out of a stark racial inequity in the drivers being stopped. Black...