In May, there will be a special election to fill the vacancy in the 3rd District left by the departure of Lucas Frerichs to the County Board of Supervisors.
Filing to compete for that seat are two candidates: Donna Neville and Francesca Wright. Each week between now and the election, the Vanguard will pose the candidates weekly questions in which they have between 250 and 350 to respond.
Vanguard Question 3: How would you address racial disparities in police stops?
Francesca Wright
- I will initiate a Council Resolution to address racial bias in policing through data monitoring, evidence based practices, and public reports of progress including implementation of the previously funded transparency portal.
- I will invite community researchers to present findings on promising practices for departmental consideration.
- I will direct the City Manager to require that the police department present a concise plan of action to include data monitoring, evaluation of training effectiveness, lessons learned and annual reports of progress.
- I will volunteer to be the council liaison to the Police Accountability Commission.
In 2020 three Davis commissions were in agreement to promote nine recommendations to improve public safety. We have made meaningful progress, but have not fully 
embraced and implemented some significant recommendations.
It is well known that as a co-founder and coordinator of Yolo People Power, I have worked with commissioners, other community members, city council, and the police chief to develop mechanisms to support equitable and transparent policing. I believe these mechanisms have contributed to a reduction in use of force violations and improved the quality of responses to mental health service calls. We still have further to go. Researchers, such as Stanford University social psychologist Jennifer Eberhardt, have developed actionable check lists for departments that have reduced disparities in other California police departments. The council allocated $75,000 in the 2021-22 police budget for analysis and creation of a public dashboard of Racial Identity Profiling Act (RIPA) data. These data are not yet found on the City websites. I will work with staff to ensure this happens.
While RIPA data provide important measures of racial disparities, impacting those numbers requires reflective practices. Progressive police departments are learning organizations committed to a culture that reduces bias and where the public feels respected. Other practices to consider include: activating body-worn cameras at officer-initiated stops; review of footage of tense situations; identification of opportunities for improvement; customer service audits; and independent evaluation of training effectiveness. I will track these issues through to resolution.
Donna Neville
Davis has made progress in addressing racial disparities in traffic stops, but we still have much more work to do: data from 2021 shows Black drivers are 4.5 times more likely than white drivers to be stopped in Davis.
Hiring an independent police auditor in 2006 was a very positive step. The auditor follows independence standards, has full access to Police Department (PD) data, and publicly reports evidence-based findings and conclusions. I spent much of my career working for the independent California State Auditor, so I understand the importance of having access to the facts and making evidence-based recommendations.
We have had great community input as well. The Police Accountability Commission and the Committee on Reimagining Public Safety have made recommendations that have been implemented by the City Council and Police Department.
We must continue to collect and analyze stop data and change policy and practice accordingly. The City mandates implicit bias training for police officers; but it must evaluate the effectiveness of that training. If training isn’t reducing racial disparities in traffic stops, then we need to find out what will. We should use body camera recordings not just for investigation, but to identify bias in police interactions and to make needed changes in training and police practice. Also, if the data reveals that traffic stops for non-moving violations (expired tags or registration) show a pattern of bias and do not improve public safety, we should explore ways other than a police traffic stop to address those violations.
I am a passionate advocate for CRISIS now, where specially trained mental health professionals respond to mental health crises rather than the traditional police response. Police officers are not needed in every situation and by having more specialized professionals for mental health crises, police can better support public safety and respond to 911 calls.
The key is to use the data to make well-informed policy decisions that address bias while balancing public safety for all. If elected, I will do what I have always done: listen; do my homework; consult with subject matter experts, and make sound, evidence-based policy decisions.
Has it even occurred to anyone that the reason might be “racial disparities” in (average) driving practices and/or condition of vehicles (regarding registration, functioning lights, etc.)?
Is that an “acceptable” reason, these days? And if not, then why research something to which you’ve already ruled out a probable cause?
Also, are there “gender” or “age” disparities in traffic stops? If so, is anyone “researching” the reasons for that? If not, why not?
Not sure if this reflects “bias” on my part, but I was surprised to learn that the driver of a stolen vehicle who died after crashing into a median on Fifth Street recently was “female”. I was also surprised to learn that UCD police can pursue (apparently at high-speed), off-campus. (Apparently, the UCD police officer also crashed into that median in pursuit.)
https://www.kcra.com/article/davis-person-dead-after-crashing-car-police/43064948
Yes, there are gender and age disparities in RIPA data (traffic stops).
In Davis in 2021 two-thirds of the stops were of perceived males and one-third were perceived females. (RIPA data only asks the officer what gender, race/ethnicity, age and age-group, and disability is “perceived”.) But women drive less than men even though by some estimates they have more drivers licenses than men in California (see https://www.latimes.com/business/la-xpm-2012-dec-13-la-fi-hy-women-drivers-20121213-story.html). Women also purchase and drive smaller, safer cars according to the LA Times article.
Regarding age, it’s a settled fact that police encounter more males than females in the course of their work and in particular males between the age of 15 and 30 or so. In the 2021 Davis RIPA data, out of 4,607 stops, 30% were of individuals between 18 and 24 years of age and 32% of individuals between 25 and 34 years of age. If you break the age groups down by gender, there were 3,110 stops of males in 2021 of which just over 60% were by perceived men between 18 and 34 years of age. There were 1,488 stops of perceived females, of whom 62% were between 18 and 34 years of age. The proportions drop off for older males and females, in part because they drive less and overall have fewer encounters with police.
The Davis police proposed a RIPA dashboard a couple years ago but does not appear to be on the DPD website. 2023 is the first year that cities with police departments the size of Davis’ have had to report RIPA data.
Thanks.
My question was somewhat rhetorical, to point out that no one is attempting to reduce the number of stops of younger people (or males). For good reason (other than driving less, no doubt).
I suspect that whites have more encounters with police than Asians, as well. (And that there’s differences within sub-categories of those groups.)
Not sure why there’s an assumption on the part of council candidates that all groups “should” be pulled-over at the same rate, and that there’s automatically a problem with police (or the “system”) regarding the actual result. This type of assumption (which has gained traction elsewhere, as well) is downright dangerous.
Perhaps no one has enough courage to be honest these days, regarding the (primary) reasons for discrepancies.
For the most part, look in the mirror regarding the “reason” that any given individual is getting pulled-over. And if one group gets pulled-over more than any group, perhaps the “problem” (on average) is with the “group” itself. (But I realize it’s not fashionable to acknowledge this, these days.)
And I say that as someone who used to get pulled-over more often, when I was younger. Again, for good reason (though I may not have thought so at the time).
“Perhaps no one has enough courage to be honest these days, regarding the (primary) reasons for discrepancies.”
Discussed this issue with Frank Baumgartner a few weeks ago – he addresses the point – https://soundcloud.com/davisvanguard/everyday-injustice-podcast-episode-187-frank-baumgartner-on-police-stops-and-racial-profiling?si=65cbaeea8ab24536b1fd20f4f12cecec&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
I looked at the short summary, and have heard about the discrepancy regarding searches from you previously.
Tell you what: If a group (e.g., more than 2) of young males is driving around at 3:00 a.m. for no apparent purpose or destination, I’d actually prefer that the police engage in “pretext stops”. Even if some innocent mofo has his vehicle searched.
Regardless of skin color, and regardless of whether or not it results in some discrepancy.
And for sure, I want EVERYONE stopped who is breaking traffic or registration laws – regardless of time of day, skin color, or anything else. That’s the “public safety issue” that I’m concerned about, and I suspect I’m not alone regarding that.
The “hit” rate for these stops is extraordinarily low.
Correction – 2 or more.
I’m guessing that actual “pretext” stops is extraordinarily low. In the first place, it’s not legal to pull someone over unless they’re breaking the law (or the police have reasonable suspicion – something to that effect).
Do you think the local police actively “search for” problems that will get themselves in trouble, these days?
I’m also guessing that the “discrepancy” (between skin colors) is extraordinarily low, in terms of actual numbers (locally). And that “white” people are not the lowest percentage experiencing this, regarding their representative local population.
Can you guess why that might be the case? For example, is there a perception (perhaps based upon reality) that Asians (as a group) generally aren’t out stealing catalytic converters at 3:00 a.m., as often as some members of other groups? Again, taking into account subgroups, which also have differences no doubt.
Let alone old people, or women (again – as a group/average).
I suspect that the prison system could have released Charles Manson (when he was about 80 years old), without causing much danger to the public. Then again, not so sure regarding any younger “followers”, which was always his “strength”.
You don’t have to guess… we have data.
Does that data show “Asian privilege”?
We already know that it shows “old people privilege”, and “female privilege”.
Would you care to include that data?
But if you want to focus on “black vs. white” (a perennial “favorite” for those seeking division), how many people of each skin color were searched in a given year with no so-called ‘contraband” found, and had no other problems with the police during the encounter? No ticket, nothing?
Actually, go ahead and include Asians in that as well.
Also, how many (of each group) were not Davis residents, and therefore could not represent a “sample” of the local population in the first place?
Leaving aside for the moment, the guy found with ammunition in his possession on Picnic Day. Which “somehow” wasn’t perceived as relevant.
You’re welcome to explore the data to answer those questions. I suggest you read Baumgartner’s study of millions of police stops, Suspect Citizens, it’s the most comprehensive study on the subject. The results mirror RIPA data from California as well.
It is a perennial favorite because it’s still a major problem in this country and has been for centuries. You seem all too willing to turn a blind eye to racism against African Americans and Latinos like many people in Florida and Texas.
Typical talking points, which actually don’t have anything to do with the questions I asked. Sorry, but you’re not going to get-away with this type of irrelevant/attacking comment.
Again, I’ll ask: Do Asians, older people, or women have as many “unjustified” encounters with police as whites do (in regard to their representative populations)?
I’ll add another “category”, as well: Do Hispanics have as many “unjustified” encounters with police as black people?
And do any of these statistics vary by location?
And if not, shouldn’t social justice warriors like you be concerned about that?
I’m not the one promoting “racism”, “sexism”, or “ageism” on here. I’m asking questions which challenge the assumption that the only possible explanation for differences is due to individual or systemic racism on the part of the police. (Can you imagine how “insulting” this racist assumption seems to police, themselves? The same people that we ask to protect us from harm – regardless of the skin color of the perpetrators?)
“Again, I’ll ask”
You can look up the data yourself.
David: I’m not the one who is putting forth claims that the only (or even the “primary”) reason for discrepancies in experiences with police is the result of the police, themselves.
I already know that there are discrepancies between ALL groups. Even Robert Canning noted something similar, above.
And yet, you have council members (and council candidates) repeatedly attempting to “get to the bottom of this” (in regard to one or two groups in particular), with an assumption that something is “wrong” with the police (or the “system”) itself.
Here’s the thing: They’ll never get to the “bottom of it”, because there are differences in crime rates (on average) between the groups, themselves – which these type of politicians will NEVER acknowledge.
Perhaps if you’re part of a group that experiences more encounters with the police then other groups, the primary “problem” is with that group, itself (on average). Again, I realize this is not a politically-acceptable “reason” these days, but I’m pretty sure that most people (including members of disproportionately-impacted groups already suspect that this is the primary cause).
And yet, council members (and candidates) don’t want to talk about the probable “primary” cause, do they? (Despite already knowing what that cause is.) The reason being that it’s not politically-acceptable to do so.
So, they’ll continue their endless, costly search for the fake “cause”, while grandstanding to make it appear that they’re “oh-so-concerned” about racism, instead.
This is not unique to Davis. It has become a societal disease, in more liberal-locales.
The problem is that it’s dishonest, wasteful, and dangerous.
Who said this: “the only (or even the “primary”) reason for discrepancies in experiences with police is the result of the police, themselves.” With that said, I recommend you read up on the data and more thoroughly than just a summary and then you can draw your own conclusion.
Ron, you are the one that posted this false statement, not me. Ron, you quite frequently post attacking comments on this site.
The first paragraph from Donna Neville demonstrates this belief. But, she is not alone.
Assuming that these percentages are correct, we’d probably have to examine the actual numbers, and whether or not the stops were “justified”, first.
But look at her comment, regarding “we still have much more work to do”.
Why is she making that assumption, given the fact that there are differences in crime rates?
Could it be that “we” don’t actually have “much more work to do”? And that (instead) maybe it’s the groups which are committing more crime (on average) which have “much more work to do”?
Personally, I’d be highly-concerned if the “goal” is to ensure “equity of outcome” in regard to skin color of those stopped by police. (Or by age, sex, or any other attribute.)
This type of underlying belief is perhaps even more outrageous than expanding a city to meet the desires of a school district.
I’d suggest that it’s entirely within the realm of possibility that the “discrepancy” regarding stops isn’t even “high enough” to reflect differences in crime rates. Perhaps, for example, it should actually be “5.5 times” greater, rather than “4.5 times” greater. Who knows?
For sure, it’s a lot lower for elderly Asian females, no doubt. (Compared to young white males, for example.) And since this is factually true, why aren’t these type of politicians concerned about THAT discrepancy – based upon the same type of assumptions that they’re already relying upon to draw conclusions?
The first paragraph lays out what the data show for data which is similar to the rest of the country. Your continuing to press a lot of issues that can be resolved in your mind through a more thorough reading of the data – I fail to understand why you aren’t pursuing that.
So just to be clear, if “two” black drivers was pulled over (locally) without justification, vs. “one” white driver, vs. “no” Asian drivers, that would show quite a “discrepancy” regarding percentages.
Unlike some council candidates, I haven’t already arrived at a conclusion that’s likely incorrect.
The data won’t necessarily tell you the cause. As such, citing it (as the council candidates are doing) and stating that there’s “more work to do” on the part of the city or police is not going to be supported by data – as these candidates are attempting to do.
If they’re going to conclude that there’s “more work to do”, what exactly does that mean? I’d conclude that there will be a “never-ending search” for the cause, because they’ve already ruled-out the one they don’t like, which is probably the “primary” cause. This is also the reason that they’re not concerned about the other discrepancies I’ve noted.
These type of people already believe that there’s something “wrong” with the system itself. They’ve already arrived at conclusions.
For the most part, I have as well – but it’s not one that they’re going to like. (That’s the problem, when you “don’t like” the actual cause.)
If you can’t see that (despite explaining it repeatedly on here), I don’t think you ever will.
“Unlike some council candidates, I haven’t already arrived at a conclusion that’s likely incorrect.”
Your comments suggest the opposite and your expenditure of time on this without looking at the data is puzzling.
“The data won’t necessarily tell you the cause.”
That’s a non-statement. Moreover, you don’t know because you have failed to due your own due diligence. I’m not going to spend any more time with you on this unless you are willing to expend some effort to educate yourself.
And from what I know about people in general, most people (including members of disproportionately-impacted groups) already know the actual/primary cause, but are participating in societal denial. The reason being that there’s no “upside” in acknowledging it. (Other than acknowledging and dealing with actual problems – but “who” wants to do that hard work? Especially if you can blame someone else – or some “system”, instead.)
I love how people these days blame “systems”, as if some racist computer was running the world, apparently programmed that way from hundreds of years ago. This also allows people to avoid backlash that they’d experience by claiming “personal” racism (though some do that, as well). It’s really rather ingenuous as a political tool, but it’s ultimately not going to accomplish anything positive at all.
This is also what enables a claim of “systemic racism” by black police officers, for example.
Encounters with police are usually a “symptom”, not a cause. It’s a sign of something “wrong” within groups, on average. Again, not just limited to one or two groups.
Again, below is what one of the candidates stated – including a citation of data. She is essentially claiming that the data is showing a problem with the police, themselves. Without even looking at the entire article again, there are likely similar comments within it.
And yet, you don’t question her implied conclusion? When she states that there is “much more work to do”, do you believe that this implies that there’s a “problem” with police or the system if (for example) black drivers are 4.5 times more likely than white drivers to be stopped in Davis?
I’m reacting to what’s in the article, itself. Along with other similar articles (which include “data”).
The data is not causing me to arrive at the same implied conclusion that you and others have implied as the primary cause.
For some people, the fact that there’s discrepancies indicates a problem with the police or “system”. The fact that they don’t look at ALL discrepancies between different groups indicates that they’ve already arrived at conclusions regarding “some” groups. They already have a conclusion, and seek selected data which supports it (while ignoring other data).
This is not how evidence-based research is conducted.
Again, this is not a “data” question, in-and-of itself. It’s a question of motives, beliefs and conclusions regarding “selected” data.
This actually reminds me of the Picnic Day incident, in which I saw a group of people blocking the street (causing an unnecessary traffic jam, impacting others), a somewhat aggressive response by the police (which despite being an unmarked car – should have resulted in people moving off of the street), and a fight which was largely instigated by people who should know better than to block a street in the first place, or to confront a driver seemingly attempting a U-Turn that this groups was preventing (even if the driver and its occupants didn’t happen to be the police).
And that’s all on video.
Not to mention an arrest in which one of the “participants” had ammunition.
Given the quite different interpretation of events by you and others, what does that tell you regarding how different people might view “data” (or even “video”)?
Not to mention the data they seek in the first place.
Again, are older Asian women getting stopped by the police? If not, wouldn’t that indicate “older Asian/female privilege”, according to the line of thought espoused by you and others?
And if you’re NOT looking at that data, doesn’t that indicate “bias” regarding what you’re looking for?