Gav, gav gav. Uh, the meeting of the committee on pedestrian
and traffic safety.
and traffic, safety is now called to order for June 26th.
2025, we will now have a roll call.
2025, we will now have a roll call to establish Quorum
chairman laspata.
Vice chair Cruise.
Alderman, Hopkins is on his way, uh,
Alderman. Hopkins is on his way, uh, Alderman Robinson,
Alderman, Yancey.
Alderman, Chico With Us online. See you in a moment
alderman.
Alderman. Chico Alderman, Quinn,
Alderman Moore.
Alderman. Curtis
vice mayor.
vice mayor Bernett.
almond, Irvin
Almond knutzen.
Almond Lawson. Almond Martin and alderwoman manah
hoppenworth.
There are 8 members present. We have a
there are 8 members present, we have a quorum
Committee members Chico.
Committee members, Chico knutzen and Lawson have requested
to participate.
to participate in the meeting remotely pursuant to rule 59.
uh, Alderman, Chico can
Uh, Alderman, Chico can you confirm your presence?
Thank you, chair. I am here.
Great to have you, sir.
Great to have you, sir? May I have a motion to allow order
chic
Chico to participate remotely.
All the women.
All the women may not have been worth. So moves all those
in favor. Say I
all those opposed say, nay
all those opposed say nay and the opinion of the chair that
I have it all in.
I have, it all in Chico, great to have you present here
today by video conference and we'll be counted accordingly
for the roll call at this time.
for the roll call. At this time we will begin the public
comment period out.
comment period out of respect for everybody's time. Each
speaker is limited to 3 minutes, uh, speakers in accordance
with rule.
with rule 58 of the city council Rules of Order, please.
refrain from profane language, OB
Conduct or disruptive comments. Our first speaker is Mr.
George Blakemore.
Blake.
Where are you?
I'm in City Hall.
What are you doing down there? Mr. Blakemore, I'm on a a
fan.
What a joke, a fan. It's a sea that black.
What a joke, a fan. It's a sea that black citizens receive
jobs.
jobs, good, contracts, and service.
I,
Am on.
Am on an assignment. Do you want that assignment? No.
Am on an assignment. Do you want that assignment know?
because when I,
Because when I try to fulfill this assignment, I I I
usually be abused.
Driving, while black.
Walking white black.
Talking white black. It's a public safety.
Talking white black is a public safety hazard for black
people.
now, you have a
people that
People that say the speed limit and we going to check it.
out. And then you have some people say I smell Mar
out. And then you have some people say I smell marijuana
and and I'm not supposed to smell it.
and and I'm not supposed to smell it or whatever.
Black people are.
Black people are at risk.
Tell me something about this location. Where are you?
I'm in City.
I'm in City Hall.
And most.
And most 99% of these people in City Hall.
And most 99% of these people in City Hall, what is that
political party, Democrats?
Demo know.
Demo know, checking balance.
No, what did you flip red go.
No, what did you flip? Red go red butt on your go.
No, what did you flip? Red. Go red butt on your go black.
On 1 party.
On 1 party system.
Brief corruption.
Right.
And abuse.
Is worse than coming.
Is worse than coming to China? Passage German.
Is worse than coming to China, passage Germany, but a
little before my time is up.
Mr. Blakemore they know.
Mr. Blakemore, they know you
you, you was born here.
you you were born here, they know your name, they know your
mother, they know your
mother they know your father. They know nothing about
these other people that comes here.
The way to cross the real grand.
The way to cross the real grand, they don't know. They don't
know if their name is senorita.
know if their name is senorita Gonzalez or not, but they
are resident.
are residents and they are part of this democratic
they are residents and they are part of this Democratic
machine.
The evil.
The evil racist Democratic machine.
It's not good government.
Not at all so Mr. Blake
Not at all. So, Mr. Blakemore you at risk?
I have.
I have an assignment.
And that assignment. I don't part.
And that assignment I don't particularly like, but the
ancestors told me. I got to do this.
if black people don't use what they have to get what they
want, they don't need what they have.
These people could not enjoy.
Rick, thank you very much, our second.
Rick, thank you very much. Our second speaker is Mr. Jim
Merrill.
Uh, thank you, chairman and members of the committee. Good
afternoon. Uh, my name is Jim Merrill. I am the managing
director of advocacy for the active Transportation Alliance
our mission.
Alliance. Our mission is to promote walking biking and
public transit to create health.
public transit, to create healthy sustainable and Equitable
communities. And it's that last part of our mission that,
uh, brings me here today.
we are proud members of the freedom move Coalition and join
our allies in calling for an end to pretextual traffic.
stops in Chicago.
So why are traffic safety advoc?
So, why are Traffic Safety Advocates? Uh, joining this
fight?
The use of.
The use of pretextual traffic stops is not compatible with
our vision. Uh, for Chicago, uh, Chicago is Safe Streets
from preventable,
from preventable traffic, crashes injuries and deaths.
Pretextual stops undermine safety goals in a road Trust.
Pretextual stops undermine safety goals in a road trust in
the community while also distracting us from the things
that actually work for improving traffic, safety.
Things like redesigning roadways to encourage safe, driving
behavior.
behavior, and providing ample alternatives to driving.
I would also like to urge the committee to connect.
I would also like to urge the committee to connect the dots
between, uh, the topic we are discussing today.
between, uh, the topic we are discussing today and other
ongoing policy discussions, including the recommendations
currently being developed by the Equitable fines and fees.
working group, uh, as well as the uh,
working group, uh, as well as the, uh, important impact our
local General, obligation Bond funding.
Our local General. Obligation Bond funding has on our
ability to deliver Safe Streets that are designed for
safety first. Uh, so we welcome the conversation.
safety first. Uh, so we welcome the conversation today, um,
and look forward to continuing to support the work.
and look forward to continuing to support the work of
Freedom, move the city council, and our
Freedom, move, the city council and our allies across the
city. Thank you.
Thank you very much. This concludes our public.
Thank you very much. This concludes our public comment
period.
uh, the committee also received 3 written comments that
were emailed to committee members yesterday. Also noting
Ott,
ottoman Hopkins with us for purposes of Quorum. Good to
have you sir?
Moving on to items before the committee.
Moving on to items before the committee today, we have 1
item a subject matter hearing on traffic.
item, a subject matter hearing on traffic stops per hour
2025 Dash 0001675 call for
2025 Dash 0001675, call for hearings on use of police
traffic stops in Chicago.
traffic stops in Chicago impacts on traffic safety and
reform efforts undertaken by the Chicago Police Department
and community.
Department, and Community commission for Public Safety and
accountability sponsored.
accountability sponsored by ottoman. Jansy no votes will be
taken.
be taken on this item. I would,
taken on this item. I would First Turn to You ottoman JY.
Our sponsor would
Our sponsor. Would you like to make an opening statement
sir?
Are we on?
Good morning.
Good morning, chair colleagues, and members of the public.
I like to start.
like to start by naming that this issue isn't just policy.
for me, it's personal.
Like many.
Like many of my constituents, I've experienced a
humiliation fear.
humiliation fear and frustration of being pulled over for
something as minor as a broken. Tail light, cracked
windshield.
Or.
Or simply the perception of looking suspicious.
These aren't just.
These aren't just traffic stops. They are reminders that in
certain neighbor.
certain neighborhoods, especially black and brown
communities like mine.
communities, like mine, we're police differently.
The data is clear.
The data is clear while traffic stops in Chicago decreased
in 20.
in 2024 over 65% of stops.
in 2024 over 65% of stops were for Just 2 minor offenses
issues. Like
issues like improper registration and minor equipment
violations.
These stops rarely lead to citations.
These stops rarely lead to citations arrests or the
discovery of contraband.
But what they do do is lead to the erosion of
but what they do do is lead to the erosion of trust, the
criminalization of poverty, and the unnecessary harm to
Black and Latino residents.
Black and Latino residents who are disproportionately
targeted
Our.
our people are 5 to 6, times more likely to be stopped than
white drivers, and yet the outcomes show no meaningful.
Public, Safety benefits.
In fact.
in fact, these pretextual stops divert critical resources
away from addressing serious crimes like carjackings
robberies.
robberies and gun violence, that devastate our communities.
today, I stand not only as an elected official
Today, I stand not only as an elected official but if
someone who knows firsthand how these practices.
someone who knows firsthand how these practices harm real
people,
The time for change is now.
I support the call from the community commission for
Safety and accountability to adopt, Freedom moves. EV
evidence-based, policy recommendations.
1.
1 and low-level non-safety traffic.
1 and low-level non-safety traffic stops.
2 limit non-consensual searches and 3 ensure stops or
focused on real public. Safety concerns.
We're not saying Public Safety doesn't matter. In fact,
it's
the Contrary we're saying that Public Safety demands that
we
that we stop wasting time on practices that harm
communities.
communities and don't make anyone safer.
Let's build a Chicago.
Let's build a Chicago, where safety dignity and fairness
are realities.
are realities for everyone. Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much, Alderman Younce. I, I will say also in
in since the 2 years prior in 2023, when we first had a
Committee hearing on this matter,
To see that conversation. So broadly picked up by the
public in.
public in listening sessions and Community meetings, even
in CPD Community conversations in the 14th.
in CPD Community conversations, in the 14th District has
been heartening and encouraging to see continued motion and
research and policy on this matter.
has been encouraging and
Has been encouraging. And so it's a great opportunity for
our committee to take up this work again.
our committee to take up this work again uh, to that end.
For this hearing, we have repres.
For this hearing, we have representatives for impact for
Equity Chicago.
Equity, Chicago Police Department, and the community
commission for public.
commission for Public Safety and accountability. At the
end, we will also hear a video from Philadelphia council
member Isaiah
member. Isaiah Thomas, who is not able to join us virtually
today.
Community members. I would also ask that we would Reserve
all questions until after speakers have gotten through
their testimony speakers. Thank you for being here today.
And please be sure to State your
And please be sure to state your name and Association. Um,
when you are speaking to begin, we have Amy Thom.
when you are speaking to begin, we have Amy Thompson and
joy and mobio from Impact.
joy and mobio from Impact for equity.
Thank you.
thank you, a chairless, spot, and good morning orders and
my fellow Chicagoans as well. Um, thank you for inviting
fellow Chicagoans as well. Um, thank you for inviting us
here today. My name is Joy eMobile and I am the policy
strategist at impact for equity. And I'm joined here today
with my colleague. Amy Thompson who
with my colleague. Amy Thompson, who is Staff Council?
Impact for Equity is a Pollock.
impact for Equity is a policy and Law Center um, in Chicago
using
Chicago using research, organizing and advocacy to
Chicago, using research, organizing and advocacy to combat
racial economic and social injustice. And so, we're here
today to speak to you.
today, to speak to you about traffic stops as a member of
the freedom move coalition.
The freedom move Coalition is an alliance of community.
The freedom move Coalition is an alliance of community
members and advocacy organizations.
members and advocacy organizations working to create a
safer, more racially equitable.
safer, more racially Equitable system of Traffic Safety in
Chicago.
since, since 2021 the freedom,
since since 2021, the freedom of Coalition has been
collecting and analyzing data on,
collecting and analyzing data on traffic stops research and
possible ways Chicago.
and possible ways. Chicago could do things differently and
organized.
organize them for policy change.
first, I want to explain the
First, I want to explain the scope of the types of stops
we're talking about today.
The data we've analyzed was provided by C.
The data we've analyzed was provided by CPD, documenting
vehicle stops for an alleged.
vehicle stops for an alleged violation of the traffic code.
The.
The reasons for a traffic stop can include moving.
violations, like a improper turn.
violations, like a improper turn equipment violations like
a broken headlight.
a broken headlight license and a registration violations.
Like EXP.
Like expired tags.
These stops.
these stops and the data will talk about today, do not
include stops that began as an investigatory stop.
An investigatory stop is when an officer.
An investigatory stop is when an officer stops a person in
a car or on foot.
a car or on foot because they have Reasonable Suspicion of
criminal.
criminal activity.
That would include stops.
That would include stops for suspicion of robbery
carjacking.
carjacking, or a violent crime.
This is a sep.
This is a separate type of stop than the traffic stops.
We're talking about today.
however, if an officer doesn't have the legally required
criminal Seuss,
criminal suspicion of foreign investigatory, stop. But they
still want an excuse to stop the person. They can use a
violation of the traffic code.
violation of the traffic code as a pretext to stop a
person.
This is called a pretextual traffic stop.
This is when an officer uses 1 of these.
This is when an officer uses 1 of these traffic code
violations. Typically a minor violation like expired.
Registration.
registration as an excuse to pull someone over when
registration as an excuse to pull someone over. When their
real intention is to investigate for signs of criminal
activity that they do not have reasonable suspicion.
activity that they do not have Reasonable Suspicion of
Good afternoon, everybody. My name is am
good afternoon, everybody. My name is Amy Thompson from
Impact for equity.
Um, earlier this spring, the free to move Coalition
published a report.
a report analyzing cpd's, 2024 traffic, stop data.
a report analyzing cpd's 2024 traffic. Stop data in the
next few slides. We'll explain what that anal.
next few slides. We'll explain what that analysis showed in
general while CP.
general while cpd's traffic stopped numbers did decrease
Citywide in 2024 CPD. Nonetheless continued its same
strategy that focuses on minor stops and disproportionately
targets black and the teenage drivers with minimal Public
Safety or road safety benefits.
traffic stops in Chicago, have
Traffic stops in Chicago. Have skyrocketed in recent years
from 2015 through.
from 2015 through 2019. Um, stop numbers increase uh by
from 2015 through 2019. Um stop numbers increase uh by 700%
in 4 years as you can see from the
in 4 years. As you can see from the orange line on the
graph. Um, last year. However
graph. Um, last year, however, CBDs, uh, reported, traffics
up numbers dropped by 45% to just under 300,000
Well that decrease in stops is good. Concerns remain because
Well, that decrease in stops is good concerns remain because
hundreds of thousands of traffic stops are unaccounted.
hundreds of thousands of traffic stops are unaccounted for
in cpd's reported traffic. Stop numbers in
in, cpd's reported traffic. Stop numbers in recent years,
increased scrutiny over, cpd's traffic stops has
increased scrutiny over cpd's traffic stops has revealed
that CPD has undercounted and under reported to State
Regulators its numbers of traffic stops searches.
to State Regulators. Its numbers of traffic stops searches
and Contraband. Recoveries
2024 data.
2024 data shows that this disturbing Trend continues, as
you can see in the green line on the graph.
While cpd's.
While cpd's, internal data and its reporting to the annual
Illinois, traffic and pedestrian.
Illinois, traffic and pedestrian stops study. So it shows
just under 300,000 traffic. Stop
just under 300,000 traffic stops data from the office of
emergency management and communic.
emergency management and communication shows that CPD
radioed in making a traffic stop.
radioed in making a traffic stop over 500,000 times. That's
a significant discrepancy, but it's not an outlier over.
a significant discrepancy, but it's not an outlier over the
last 6 years. This discrepancy between cpd's reported
traffic stops and oemc, traffic stops has ranged from.
traffic stops and oemc, traffic stops has ranged from 150
to 300,000 stops each year. This raises serious concerns
about cpd's ability to accurately.
about cpd's ability to accurately record and report on its
own activities.
The data also shows that the
the data also shows that the types of violations CPD is
pulling people over for continued to focus primarily on
stops for more minor.
stops for more minor offenses rather than those that
present more serious traffic.
present more serious Traffic, Safety dangers in 2004, when
data began being collected over, 75% of the stops,
data began being collected over, 75% of the stops made by
CPD were for moving offenses. And that's the category of
offenses. That's most likely to be more dangerous, driving
behavior.
um, this is shifted dramatically over the last
Um this is shifted dramatically over the last 2 decades
particularly after stops increased in 2015.
particularly after stops increased in 2015, after 2015, CPD
began.
began to focus, more on making stops, for non-moving
violations. Namely
violations, namely equipment, and Licensing, and
registration violations.
registration violations, for the last few years licensing,
and registration violations.
and registration violations have been the highest share of
stops accounting for nearly 45% of all CPD traffic stops in
2024,
when you look at the specific offenses, people are stopped
for in 2024 over 65% of traffic stops were made.
for in 2024 over 65% of traffic stops were made for having
an unlit, a broken headlight or tail light or fail.
an unlit, a broken headlight or tail light or failure to
have valid or properly, displayed registration, plates or
tags.
tags, CPD, May stops for more dangerous events as like,
speeding, much more rarely speeding comprised only 1.5
speeding, much more rarely speeding comprised, only 1.5% of
stops
um, so overall
Um, so overall, uh, see while CPD stops did decrease last
year.
year, um, which is a positive development. Um, they still
did.
did make hundreds of thousands of traffic stops most of
which were for Minor vehicle violations.
The finding that these stops are for minor reasons.
The finding that these stops are for minor reasons that
don't present significant safety. Risks is underscored by
how infrequently officers cite the drivers that are
how infrequently officers. Cite. The drivers that are
stopped in 2024 8.6.
stopped in 2024. 8.6% of traffic stops. Resulted in a
citation,
citation while that's an increase from 2023, it's still far
below the rates of some other cities with large police,
departments or even.
departments or even CPD in 2015. As you can see, when they
sat sighted drivers around 70%. Um, last year also, New
York City, sighted drivers in over 80% of
York City. Sighted drivers in over 80% of stops and
Houston.
Kind of drivers in 39% of stops.
traffic stops also,
Traffic stops also rarely result in an arrest or recovery
of contraband.
of Contraband in 2024 4.5% resulted in.
of Contraband in 2024, 4.5% resulted in an arrest and just
1.3% resulted in recovery of illegal items like drug drugs,
alcohol or weapons.
We also see only a small fraction of traffic stops leading
to police recovering firearms.
to police recovering Firearms, CPD records show that in
2024 across more than nearly 300,000 traffic stops only
0.75.
0.75% of these stops resulted in recovery of a gun.
so, although some may think of traffic stops as an
So although some may think of traffic stops as an effective
crime detection Tool, uh, the low rates of Cit.
crime detection Tool. Uh, the low rates of citation arrests
and Contraband recovery raises serious, doubts as
and Contraband recovery raises serious doubts as to how
effective that tactic really is.
But beyond being ineffective.
But beyond being ineffective, CPD traffic stops raise
serious concerns because they disproportionately harm black
and the teenage drivers and communities.
in 2024 black drivers were over 44% of those stop by CPD
and yet they make up less than 29% of Chicago's population.
Latinia drivers were also over.
Latinia drivers were also over represented comprising
nearly 35% of those stopped.
nearly 35% of those stopped, despite being 29% of Chicago's
population. White drivers however, were unders stopped
compared to their population. White drivers were a mere.
14.8% of those stopped, despite being over 32.
14.8% of those stopped, despite being over 32% of Chicago's
population.
The dad also shows disparities when it comes to search.
The dad also shows disparities when it comes to searches
black drivers, were 66.4% of those.
black drivers, were 66.4% of those search despite being
44.6% of those stop.
44.6% of those stopped.
We also see racial disparities when looking at consent
searches.
A consent search occurs when.
A consent search occurs when an officer asks a person for a
permission to search their vehicle. Um and the decision to
ask a driver is completely discretionary officers, don't
need to have criminal suspicion to be able to ask that
permission.
In 2024 over.
in 2024 over 95% of consent searches were performed on
drivers of color stopped. Black drivers were 5.8.
drivers of color stopped. Black drivers were 5.8 times as
likely as white drivers to be asked for consent and
stopped. The teenager drivers were nearly 4 times as likely
And you can see how black and the teenagers are impacted.
differently by seeing where CPD has heavily concentrated at
stops.
last year, the district with the highest share of
Last year, the district with the highest share of stops was
district 7, which is home to Chicago's.
district 7, which is home to Chicago's Englewood
neighborhood. District 7 was a location of 8.
neighborhood. District 7 was a location of 8% of the entire
city stops despite being home to the
city stops, despite being home to the smallest population
of any of Chicago's 22 Police District.
of any of Chicago's 22. Police districts district 7 is over
96% black and lat.
96% black and Latina.
we believe that the
We believe that the data makes clear that cpd's traffic
stops. Practice is
stops, practice is a poor use of resources and there are
real.
real costs.
data shows that protection of,
Data shows that protection of traffic stops are not an
effective way to find evidence.
effective way to find evidence of criminal activity.
Further.
Further a heavy focus on minor violations, mean.
Further a heavy focus on minor violations means police
cannot respond to dangerous driving behavior.
Reporting also suggests that.
Reporting also suggests that spending time on traffic stops
takes away.
takes away, time from police to respond to pressing.
takes away, time from police to respond to pressing safety
issues, like 911 calls.
moreover, the strategy contributes to the
Moreover, the strategy contributes to the crisis of trust
between.
between between over police communities of color. And
between between over police communities of color, and law
enforcement.
When a person feels as if they are.
When a person feels as if they are, merely seen as a target
for investigation or criminalization.
for investigation or criminalization because of the color
of their skin or the neighbor,
of their skin or the neighborhood that they live in, they
may be less likely to see police as partners in building
Community safety.
this creates a dynamic between
This creates a dynamic between police and civilians. That
is counterproductive.
is counterproductive to the law enforcement stated that
goes of solving crimes.
To address the problems.
to address the problems with and harms created by this
practice, the
practice. The free to move Coalition, set out to develop a
policy proposed.
policy proposal for transformative change and how Chicago
enforces traffic safety.
We look.
we looked at the data to see what kinds of stops were
leading to the greatest racial disparities, but we're not
responding.
responding to Traffic Safety dangers.
We?
We worked with people who were repeatedly impacted.
We worked with people who were repeatedly impacted by the
stops to understand their experiences.
and we convened, with other jurisdictions to
And we convened with other jurisdictions to learn how they
were tackling this problem in their own.
were tackling this problem in their own cities.
This ultimately led to the
this ultimately led to the creation of a 3-part policy,
proposal to address protection, traffic stops.
first to limit traffic, stop
First to limit traffic stops for the specific set of
offenses that don't present.
offenses that don't present immediate Traffic Safety
dangers, but with cpd's,
dangers, but with cpd's data shows are some of the most
common justifications.
common justifications for protect your traffic stops.
this would,
This would include infractions like recently. Expired,
registration.
registration or fair to failure, to have a license.
registration, or fair to failure to have a license plate
light.
A number of jurisdictions.
A number of jurisdictions have taken up a version of this
change. Including
change, including Virginia, Oregon Philadelphia and the
San Francisco Police Department.
Evidence from Philadelphia. Showed a decrease in minor.
stops with no negative effect on public safety.
Second, we're advoc.
Second, we're advocating restricting officers from making
pretextual.
pretextual traffic stops outright.
Closing.
Close in this legal loophole will prevent police from
stopping people.
stopping people, from minor traffic violations with the
intention of fishing for signs of criminal activity.
intention of fishing for signs of criminal activity without
having suspicions in the first place.
Los Angeles, Police Department implemented a version of
this.
this policy and preliminary data shows a reduction.
this policy and preliminary data shows a reduction in stops
for minor offenses and decreased.
minor offenses and decreased minor stops for black drivers.
Finally, we are advocating to end.
Finally, we are advocating to end, suspiciousness consent
searches due in traffic stops.
If an officer doesn't have suspicion that a crime is,
happening, they shouldn't be able to fish around in
someone's car, on the hope that they might find something.
This policy will prevent phishing by.
This policy will prevent phishing by requiring law
enforcement to have an independent legal basis to ask a
person for consent to search during a traffic violation.
Places like Connecticut Rhode.
Places like Connecticut Rhode Island and the San Francisco
Police Department.
Police Department have successfully passed a version of
this.
We believe that these 3 policy proposals,
We believe that these 3 policy, proposals, when combined
together are a measured and targeted approach to reduce the
unnecessary traffic.
unnecessary traffic stops that are driving racially
despaired over.
despaired over policing while allowing CPD to prioritize.
despaired over policing while allowing CPD to prioritize
actual Traffic Safety dangers.
as chairless spot explained earlier and also Alderman, um,
yansi
yansyi
You'll hear more about that from.
You'll hear more about that from each of them coming up.
However, we wanted to take a brief moment to share our
assessment of how these new proposals measures up to the
coalitions.
We appreciate that CPD took the initiative to draft this
policy in cooperation with the community Commission.
However, we think it falls short of addressing the core
problem.
problem of protection traffic stops because among other
things.
things, it does not.
It does nothing to limit.
It does nothing to limit unnecessary stops. That aren't
keeping our road safer.
Ccpsa commissioners.
Ccpsa Commissioners responses. However, put all of these
policies we propose on the table.
yet, we
Yet. We have concerns about how effective those draft.
proposals. Will be once implemented.
while there's more work to be done, we hope that there will
be more discussion.
So that we can get.
So that we can get an effective CPD traffic stops policy
that will end.
that will end protect your traffic stops and make a safer.
more racially Equitable. Chicago, this is
more racially Equitable Chicago, this is our chance to
solve a serious and widespread problem in Chicago, so let's
make sure that we get it right. Thank you Alders for your
time and we'll look forward to answering.
time. And we'll look forward to answering any questions
that, um, the other speakers.
I have.
Thank you, Joy. Thank you. Amy. Uh, before we move on to
our speakers from the Chicago Police Department,
speakers from the Chicago Police Department uh wanting to
know, ottoman Curtis with us for purposes.
know ottoman, Curtis with us for purposes of Quorum. Good
to have you also
have you. Also uh virtually we have ottoman Lawson and
may I have a motion pursuant to rule 59 to participate.
permit Alderman Lawson to
Permit Alderman, Lawson to participate remotely.
So moved Al
So moved alderwoman Cruise all those in favor. Say I
all those supposed to say nay in the opinion of the chair
that I have it.
the eyes have it, Alden Lawson. Very grateful to have you
with us. Uh, thank you chair.
Uh, next, we will hear from the Chicago Police.
Uh, next, we will hear from the Chicago Police Department.
I'm going to do my very best.
I'm going to do my very best with everyone's last names.
Please forgive.
Please forgive me on at least 1 of these. Um,
Please forgive me on, at least 1 of these. Um uh, we have
with us deputy chief.
with us, deputy chief Jill Stevens from the Bureau of
Patrol Captain Jake.
Patrol Captain, Jake Alden
Thank you. Uh,
Thank you uh, training and support group Lieutenant, Mike.
capusan.
He?
he says, um, research and development and deputy
He says um research and development and deputy director noi
Flores from strategic initiatives.
Flores from strategic initiatives Division and are are all
present.
all present on behalf of the department, very grateful to
have you with us. Thank you.
Deputy chief.
Good afternoon, chairman laspata members of the committee.
Good afternoon, chairman laspata members of the committee
and to the people of Chicago who are following this
conversation. Thank you.
On behalf of superintendent.
On behalf of superintendent Snelling, and the members of
the Chicago Police Department. We
the Chicago Police Department, we appreciate the
opportunity to speak with you today.
opportunity to speak with you today about the Department's
use of traffic stops. And more importantly, the work that
we are doing to make these interactions.
we are doing to make these interactions safer, more
respectful and more understand.
respectful and more understandable.
We know that for many people.
We know that for many people, a traffic stop may be the
most direct or frequent.
most direct or frequent contact. They have with the
Department that experience.
Department that experience matters. It can shape how people
view the department.
view the department and whether they feel respected
protected,
protected or profiled,
we have heard these concern.
we have heard these concerns from community members across
the city and we are taking them seriously.
Let me Begin by clearly.
let me Begin by clearly stating that the law requires
officers must have reasonable articulable suspicion.
officers must have Reasonable articulable Suspicion, or
probable, cause that is specific.
probable, cause that is specific and objective reasons to
believe that someone has committed is committing, or is
about to commit.
about to commit a crime before they make the traffic set.
This applies to all traffic and vehicle related.
This applies to all traffic and vehicle related violations,
such as speeding failing to signal.
such as speeding failing to Signal or an expired license
plate.
but,
But just meeting the legal. Standards is not enough.
We want every traffic. Stop to reflect profession.
we want every traffic stop to reflect professionalism,
respect fairness and the values of constitutional policing.
policing. That is why we are developing a new formal
That is why we are developing a new formal traffic stop
policy for the entire department.
policy for the entire department and this this policy is
intended to do.
intended to do 3 things number 1 reinforce
intended to do 3 things number 1, reinforced legal,
standards and constitutional rights. Number 2, prioritize
safety, for both community.
safety, for both community members and officers. And number
3, promote respect, and Trust in how CPD serves.
3, promote respect, and Trust in how CPD serves our
neighborhoods. We are not developing this policy alone we
are working closely with the community commission for
Public Safety and accountability, which was created to
ensure the community has a voice.
ensure the community has a voice in shaping CPD policies.
Their partnership helps ensure. This policy, reflects not
just the Department's perspective but also the lived
experiences, the concerns, the expectations of the people
we serve in April CP.
we serve in April, CPD public.
Released a draft version of this traffic. Stop Pollock.
Released a draft version of this traffic. Stop policy that
draft incorporates inputs from community members,
especially individuals that have personally experienced
stops and wanted their voices.
stops and wanted their voices to be heard. That draft
remains open for public.
remains open for public comment until July 14th 202.
remains open for public comment until July 14th 2025.
We want to hear from as many.
We want to hear from as many people as possible, whether
you've had bad good or complicated experiences with traffic
stops, your feedback is important and we will inform our
next steps with it.
The department and ccpsa.
The department and ccpsa are also working with the Illinois
Attorney General's office.
Illinois, Attorney General's office and the independent
monitoring team on the potent.
monitoring team on the potential inclusion of traffic stops
into the consent. Decree.
consent. Decree, this would ensure that traffic stops
aligned with the consent decrees mandate to improve CPD.
aligned with the consent. Decrees mandate to improve. Cpd's
policies training operations, reporting and accountability
systems.
To support a new traffic. Stop policy CPD.
To support a new traffic, stop policy. CPD is committed to
training its members to including super.
training its members to including supervisors, on the
Department's use of traffic stops.
Department's use of traffic stops in its role to promote
Public Safety en.
Public Safety. Enforce the law, prevent crime and serve the
community.
community because we all know how officers are trained.
shapes. How they act in the field.
however, even while the new policy development process is
on,
ongoing, the department is already moving forward.
ongoing, the department is already moving forward with
training that will make officer Community inter.
training that will make officer Community interactions
during the traffic stops.
during the traffic stops safer and respectful.
Every year.
Every year all CPD officers must complete 40 hours.
Every year all CPD officers must complete 40 hours of
in-service training this year. These hours include 2,
important community-driven trainings. The first is an
8-hour course.
8-hour course on constitutional policing, which focuses on
the Fourth Amendment, which is the right to be free from
un.
unreasonable searches. And seizures, it also focuses.
unreasonable searches. And seizures, it also focuses on
procedural Justice, which is treating people with dignity
and fairness and how to use officer discretion responsibly
the goal.
the goal is to help officers and officers understand.
just the what of the law but the why it
just the what of the law, but the why it matters and how to
apply it in ways that respect people.
apply it in ways that respect people's rights and Humanity.
The second.
The second is an 8-hour course focused on deescalate.
the second is an 8-hour course focused on deescalate resp
respond to resistance especially during High.
respond to resistance especially during high-risk vehicle
stops where things can escalate rather quickly.
Officers are taught.
officers are taught to slow things down to communicate,
clearly and to use Force only. When absolutely necessary.
we also want the community to see that what the
We also want the community to see that what the officers are
learning, and that is why in April.
learning. And that is why in April, the department held 2
Community training, observation,
Community training, observation days at the Joint Public
Safety Training Center, these
Safety Training Center. These events invited our community
members to experience.
members to experience, cpd's training and to observe
scenario-based.
scenario-based exercises, like mock traffic stops.
scenario-based exercises, like mock traffic stops where
officers have to make quick decisions under pressure.
officers have to make quick decisions Under Pressure, some
Community, participants, even took part in the scenarios.
themselves.
for many the
For many the mock traffic stop exercise was eye opening.
Community member saw firsthand the Split Second decision.
officers face but also the critical importance of clear
communication patience.
Communication. Patience and deescalate.
Communication. Patience and deescalate high-risk traffic
stops. Just as importantly, the dept heard directly from
the community about how these interactions feel from the
offic.
officer's perspectives.
These kinds.
These kinds of shared experiences helped build Mutual.
understanding and the department needs more of that.
That is why we will be hosting more community.
That is why we will be hosting more Community training,
observation days this fall. And we encourage allders and
community members from all parts of the city.
community members from all parts of the city to attend and
to participate with us.
if the department wants to build trust, we have to be
willing to show our work and to listen to our community.
willing to show our work and to listen to our community in
closing. Let me say this plainly
closing. Let me say this, plainly traffic stops, should not
be a source of fear.
be a source of fear, anxiety, or frustration.
They should be handled with fairness respect.
They should be handled with fairness. Respect, transparency
and care.
transparency, and care. And the department is committing to
do committed to doing this.
do committed to doing this work because it is the right
thing to do for the people of Chicago, we know that change
is not.
does not happen overnight, but step by step.
does not happen overnight, but step by step policy by
policy training by training.
policy training by training conversation by conversation.
We are
we are working to create a department that earns and keeps
the trust of the community. It serves thank you.
the trust of the community. It serves. Thank you again for
the opportunity to speak today. We look forward to
continuing to work with you.
Thank you. Deputy chief.
Thank you. Deputy chief uh, just so I'm clear before we go
to Mr. Gross. Uh, do we have comments from? Uh,
to Mr. Gross. Uh, do we have comments from, uh, the other
representatives of CPD? Or they mainly hear for answering?
question purposes. Yes, they're here for the questions. Got
it. Thank you.
it. Thank you very much. Uh, moving on, we have executive
director of the community, commissioner
director of the community commissioner for Public Safety
and accountability, Adam gross.
Good afternoon.
Good afternoon, chairman laspada and members of the
committee. My name is Adam gross and I'm the executive
director of the community commission for Public Safety and
accountability.
As you've heard the independent.
As you've heard the independent monitor for the consent
decree, the Illinois, Attorney General.
decree, the Illinois Attorney General, and the City of
Chicago have been working to include traffic.
Chicago have been working to include traffic stops in the
consent. Decree,
So, why is the community commission for Public Safety and
accountability?
accountability involved in this process?
Right now. When traffic stops haven't been Incorporated,
Right now, when traffic stops haven't been Incorporated in
the consent, decree the commission, has to Legal author.
the consent, decree, the commission has the legal authority
to make traffic stops policy for the Chicago Police
Department.
and more than a year ago, the consent decree in
And more than a year ago, the consent decree independent
monitor recommended to the judge in the consent decree
case.
case that traffic stops by CPD be.
case, that traffic stops by CPD be included in the consent.
Decree that would mean that changes to cpd's. Traffic stops
policy would be made through the procedures laid out in the
consent decree and would be over.
consent decree and would be overseen by the independent
Monitor and the federal judge in the case.
There were strong reasons to include.
There were strong reasons to include traffic stops in the
consent decree. So, the commission
consent decree. So the commission has worked with CPD and
the city's Department of Law.
the city's Department of Law on an agreement that ensures
that if traffic stops,
that if traffic stops are included in the consent, decree,
the commission will continue to play a major role
For the last several months, the commission has worked with
CP.
CPD on traffic stops policy during that time the
CPD on traffic stops policy. During that time. The
commission has consulted with subject matter, experts
conducted a special meeting and 4 listening sessions to get
input, solicited feedback from CPD members. And
input, solicited feedback from CPD members and solicited
feedback on the commission's website.
On April 21st.
on April 21st, uh, as you heard the city of Chicago
submitted 2 versions,
submitted 2 versions of a draft traffic stops policy to the
Illinois Attorney General. And the independent monitor 1
version is from CPD and 1 is from the commission, the
commission's version includes most of the language from
cpd's.
cpd's version. But with some changes that a majority of
cpd's version, but with some changes that a majority of
Commissioners think are very important
um, before I get into the details,
Um, before I get into the details, I just want to Note 2
things first. I'd like to uh, clarify something that uh
that Alderman Yancey said at the, at the beginning of the
meeting.
meeting Alderman, Yancey said that the community commission
for Public Safety and accountability.
for Public Safety and accountability has supported the
freedom move.
freedom move policy recommendations, uh, the
freedom move policy recommendations. Uh, the community
commission has not taken any position on the freedom move
recommendations. The commission is uh taking input from
lots of different uh,
lots of different uh working broadly across the city to
collect input on traffic stops policy. The commission, take
seriously, all of the input that it has received and hasn't
taken any position on any of the input that is.
taken any position on any of the input that is received
including the input from fre.
including the input from Freedom, move in addition, the
commission's response to cpd's draft.
commission's response to cpd's draft policy.
Reflects individual.
Reflects individual commissioner views. The commission
hasn't yet voted.
hasn't yet voted uh, on policy or adopted a position.
hasn't yet voted uh, on policy or adopted a position as a
body. Just want to be clear about that.
Before I get into the details of the policy.
before I get into the details of the policy, I'd like to
share some information about the feedback the commission
has received so far at regular Commission
has received so far at regular commission meetings at the
listening sessions the commission has held and by using the
commission's online feedback.
commission's online feedback form
Not surprisingly people across the city.
Not surprisingly people across the city, have a wide range
of views of traffic stop.
of views of traffic stop practices and a wide range of
views about how traffic stop.
views about how traffic stops should be handled going
forward. So here, uh, some of the many things that
Commissioners have received as, uh, as feedback on the
policy, some people have raised concerns about police
officer conduct during traffic stops. Some people have
talked about the number of traffic stops CPD can
talked about the number of traffic stops CPD, conducts and
suggested that at a time when C
suggested that, at a time, when CPD has fewer officers than
it, had in the past, some of those stop.
it, had in the past. Some of those stops may not be the
best use of police.
best, use of police officer time.
Some people have said, they think traffic stops.
some people have said, they think traffic stops are unfair
based on the available data about the number of traffic
stops involving black and brown drivers. And some people
have said that they believe that the current use of traffic
stops reduces trust in the police department.
stops reduces trust in the police department, especially in
communities that have higher number of stops.
some people have said that, when they,
some people have said that when they are used appropriately
traffic stops can be a very
traffic stops, can be a very important Public Safety tool.
and some
And some people have said that going forward, there should
be clearer.
be clearer rules for conducting traffic stops. More
effective train.
effective training about how to conduct traffic stops
better.
better documentation for each traffic, stop and more.
accountability if traffic stops are done in ways.
accountability. If traffic stops are done in ways that
violate the rules.
in the policy-making process so far Commissioners, like,
Chicagoans have shared a range of views about what should
be included in a traffic stops policy.
A majority of Commissioners.
A majority of Commissioners, as I said earlier, support,
most of what is in cpd's.
most of what is in cpd's version of the draft policy.
And based on commissioner response to the policy CP.
described a few minutes ago. There are a few important
differences.
differences between cpd's. Draft of the policy and the
views of a majority of commission.
views of a majority of Commissioners.
um, I'm happy to talk more about the areas of agreement and
just want to make clear that the areas of agreement are
substantial.
a majority of Commissioners think that certain traffic stops
for,
for certain specific vehicle or license compliance, viol,
violations, should be prohibited with some exceptions.
A majority of Commissioners support limit.
a majority of Commissioners support limiting stops for 6
different vehicle equipment or
different vehicle equipment, or license compliance
violations, for example.
violations. For example, a majority of Commissioners. Think
that CPC CPD shouldn't be able to make stops for vehicle.
Registr
registration that expired within the last year. Having 1
non-functioning headlight, tail light or
non-functioning headlight tail light or brake light during
daylight hours as long as the vehicle.
daylight hours. As long as the vehicle has 1 function
headlight tail light, or
headlight tail, light or brake light, or a missing or imp
improperly. Displayed front license plate as long as the
vehicle has a properly, displayed rear license plate.
a majority of Commissioners also, support providing
exceptions to those restrictions. Meaning that there would
be some situations when CPD could make stops for those
reasons. But there isn't right now,
reasons. But there isn't right now a majority view about
what the specific exceptions would be. Some Commissioners
want to allow stop,
want to allow stops in those. Otherwise restricted
categories, if police have Reasonable articulable Suspicion
of a Class, A misdemeanor, or felony, and some
Commissioners want
Commissioners, want to allow those stops in cases, where a
police officer believes the violation creates an immediate
threat to public.
threat to Public Safety.
the other big difference between,
the other big difference between cpd's draft version of the
policy and uh uh and the version that reflects the uh,
various commissioners.
various Commissioners uh views on that policy.
Is about consent search.
Is about consent searches a consent search. Is when a
police,
police officer asks for permission to search a car and the
driver gives permission if the driver gives consent
driver gives permission. If the driver gives consent, then
it's legal for the officer to conduct the search.
I want to note first that cpd's, draft Pollock.
I want to note first that cpd's draft policy includes a
number of Provisions related to consent searches.
number of Provisions related to consent searches where
Commissioners and CPD appear to be in agreement.
Commissioners and CPD appear to be in agreement, for
example, before an officer conducted a cons
example, before an officer conducted, a consent search,
they would need to tell the person the reason they're
asking to do.
do a search and say what specific information regarding
suspected.
suspected criminal activity, they're acting on.
and,
And cpd's draft policy reiterates that the whole
interaction needs.
interaction needs to be recorded on body warn camera and
documented in a report.
Those.
Those are significant changes.
Here are the key differences.
here are the key differences on consent searches
right now, CPD doesn't have a policy that says, when a
police officer is authorized to request a consent search
during a traffic.
during a traffic stop. If a police officer pulls over a
car, they have.
car, they have a lot of discretion about whether to ask to
do a consensus search because there are no specific policy
requirements. For example, an officer could ask to do a
consent search if they suspect that there's evidence of
criminal activity, inside the car, they don't currently
need anything.
need anything more specific.
Cpds draft traffic.
Cpds draft traffic stops policy would require something more
than a hunch before. A police officer could ask permission
to do a search in the draft policy, CPD proposes to require
that police officers.
require that police officers, have specific articulable
information.
information regarding suspected criminal activity other
than the traffic law violation before they could ask to do.
a search. That means that before a police officer could ask
for permission to search a vehicle, they would need some
information.
information that they could State for the record tying a
car or someone in it to suspected criminal activity other
than the traffic.
than the traffic law violation.
A majority of Comm.
A majority of Commissioners, support, requiring, that an
officer have more.
officer have more than
Specific articulable information.
specific articulable information, the standard that CPD
proposes in order to request a consent search.
But those Commissioners have 2. Different proposals for
what the standard should be. Both proposals would require
reasonable articulable.
Reasonable articulable Suspicion, or probable, cause of
some Criminal
some criminal activity.
The standard that CPD has proposed.
the standard that CPD has proposed specific articulable
information would be a new standard CPD, doesn't use that
standard in other Pollock.
standard in other policies. CPD does use recent bull.
articulable suspicion and probable cause standards.
articulable suspicion and probable cause standards in other
policies police officers, get training.
policies. Police officers, get training about what those
standards mean and courts have used those.
standards mean and courts have used those standards for a
long time.
so, as an alternative to the specific articulable
information, standard, some Commissioners that CP, some
Comm
standard, some Commissioners, that CP some Commissioners
think that CPD members should only be able to conduct
consent searches of a vehicle. If the
consent searches of a vehicle if the officer has reasonable
articulable suspicion,
Reasonable articulable Suspicion, or probable, cause of
criminal activity,
And some Commissioners think there should be reasonable.
articulable suspicion, or probable, cause of a
articulable, suspicion, or probable, cause of a Class, A
misdemeanor or felony.
Uh, and 1 commissioner supports the standard that CPD has
proposed.
What's next?
The commission will continue.
The commission will continue to get public input through
meetings, public comments.
meetings, public comments and the online form.
Ccpsa and CPD will continue to work to develop the traffic
stop policy.
and at the same time,
And at the same time, ccpsa will continue to work with CPD
the Attorney General.
the Attorney General's office, and the independent monitor
to include traffic.
to include traffic stops in the consent. Decree,
If?
if traffic stops are included in the consent, decree, the
consent decree. Lays out a process for policy development
and approval.
CPD would draft a policy. CCP.
CPD would draft a policy. Ccpsa would play a role in that
process then the city.
process, then the city which includes CPD and ccpsa.
share the policy with the attorney general's office.
if the city and the office of Attorney General agree on the
policy, it could move forward. If the city and the office
of Attorney General. Don't agree on the policy.
of Attorney General, don't agree on the policy, the consent
decree, lays out a process where first the independent
Monitor and then the judge can work to resolve.
Disagreements. Ultimately, the judge has the final say.
The commission.
The commission will continue to provide updates on the
process.
process at regular commission meetings and on the ccpsa
website.
and when
And when the process is complete, the commission will draft
and publish.
and publish a summary report on the process.
Thank you very much and I'm
thank you very much and I'm happy to answer any questions
when we get to that part of the agenda.
Thank you very much executive.
Thank you very much, executive director gross. Uh, we have
1 final test,
1 final testimony before we move to questions.
1, final testimony before we move to questions from
committee members, which is from council member.
committee members, which is from council member, Isaiah,
Thomas of Philadelphia Philadelphia. Who is not able to
join virtually today. But shared a video,
join virtually today, but shared a video with us council
member Thomas championed.
member Thomas championed, Philadelphia's driving equality
act, which passed in 20.
act, which passed in 2022 and reclassified 8 minor.
act, which passed in 2022 and reclassified 8 minor traffic
violations. So they could no longer be used as grounds for
traffic stop.
it is a 10-minute video, but given
it is a 10-minute video but given their practical experience
in this reform both
experience in this reform, both the before. And after of
it, we felt like it would be
like it would be a valuable perspective to bring before the
committee.
before the committee. So members of
A city council. Thank you for the great work, you do.
A city council. Thank you for the great work you do as
legislators legislating 1 of the biggest cities in 1 of the
the most important cities in the entire country. My name,
the most important cities in the entire country. My name is
Isaiah Thomas, and I'm a city council member at large
represent.
representing the entire city of Philadelphia. I'm also the
majority.
majority whip on city council here in the city of
Philadelphia. And I'm the proud author of the driving
equality legislation. Thank you for taking the time to
allow me to give provide a few brief remarks but more
importantly thank you for even considering such important
legislation. Just so you know, by background I'm born and
raised in the city of Philadelphia. I'm a project. A
product of the school district of Philadelphia. I'm an
educator by trade and I spent the majority of my life, um,
in the city of Philadelphia, I went to schools here, both.
Elementary School of both Elementary School and Middle
School.
School, of course. I went to an amazing friend for high
school in the city of Philadelphia.
school in the city of Philadelphia graduated from
Frankfurt. Went to college locally. Got my
Frankfurt, went to college locally, got my Master's Degree
locally and started my professional career locally. I think
it's important to provide that context so you can
understand
Spin all of my life in a city.
Spin all of my life in the city of Philadelphia. And I first
hand can tell you that.
first hand can tell you that my lived experiences is the
most important factor.
important factor in driving, uh, my effort to produce.
important factor in driving. Uh, my effort to produce the
driving equality initiative by the
driving equality initiative. By the time I was 21 years
old, I had already been pulled over.
old, I had already been pulled over more times than I can
remember, and I can remember graduating.
remember, and I can remember graduating from college and
receiving a gift from my mother, who's in heaven,
receiving a gift from my mother who's in heaven right now,
uh, but provided me with an amazing opportunity. Not just
to start my professional career, but to travel around the
city in a way that was very advantageous for
city, in a way that was very advantageous for a person who
had recently graduated from college. I had a nice car and I
would, uh, put myself in a position to be able to not just
explore the city for professional reasons, but of course,
for social reasons. As as well too.
My friends, and I growing up in the city of Philadelphia.
My friends and I growing up in the city of Philadelphia are
often viewed being pulled over by police as a right.
often viewed being pulled over by police as a Rites of
Passage. It was normal for all of us not just to be stopped
in.
in cars, but to be stopped walking down streets to be
searched to be.
searched to be searched and aggressive ways. And once we
metric it through adulthood and we begin to network me
connect with and build with folks who are from the saber
neighborhoods that we're from.
neighborhoods that we're from and don't exactly look like
us. We seen that our experiences weren't actually the norm.
We realized that as black men, we were the ones who were
disproportionately pulled over there. Wasn't something that
every demographic was experiencing we realized.
every demographic was experiencing we realized that as
black men when we did get pulled over.
black men. When we did get pulled over the way, we were
searched. We're not only unconstitutional but a violation
of
And that's a real experience that black men have. When
and that's a real experience that black men have when we are
searched, often during traffic stops that we
searched often during traffic stops, that we far too. Often
don't talk about outside of my
often don't talk about outside of my lived experiences.
The.
The data supports this initiative and the City.
the data supports this initiative and the City of
Philadelphia we found
That.
That in a year Where We examined hundreds.
that in a year Where We examined hundreds of thousands of
traffic stops less than 1.
traffic stops less than 1% of those stops when the car was
searched,
searched led to some type of contributing and or a weapon
being found. The actual number was 0.17% of the time.
So,
so, with that being said,
we felt like we
We felt like we were required to put ourselves in a
position to address. What I feel like is 1 of the most
egregious Civil, Right? Violations, that
egregious Civil Right violations. That is that exists in
our entire country, which is pulling people over for no
reason, also known as driving while black
With the data.
With the data and the lived experiences, we then use that.
as momentum to put ourselves in a position to cut to try to
create this complicated.
create this complicated legislation.
when I decided,
when I decided to embark on this journey, the first thing we
did was put ourselves in a position to create a quality
coalition.
Coalition of different parties that will not just give
credibility to the work but assured that the legislation
would be implemented in.
would be implemented in a way that that would not have a
negative impact.
negative impact on Public Safety. Members of that Coalition
included.
Coalition included other members of the city council, the
executive branch of government. Um, at the time the mayor
was mayor Kenney. It also included the public defenders
office. It also included.
office. It also included other community stakeholders, but
the most important part,
the most important partner in that Coalition for us was the
Philadelphia, the police department.
We?
We said negotiated work together.
We said, negotiated work together for nearly a year. I
believe the exact time was about 11 months, we met on a
monthly basis to put ourselves in a position to identify 8
motor.
motor vehicle coal violations that we can move from a
primary reason to be pulled over to a second level of
enforcement that we all agreed would not have a negative
impact on public.
impact on public safety.
once we came to an agreement around,
Once we came to an agreement around what those 8 motor
motor vehicle core violations would be, we then begin to
have dialogue with other.
have dialogue with other members of city council to make
sure that they were comfortable.
sure that they were comfortable with the actual legislation
throughout the course of that process. Of course, we had
the amended Bill based on the input of some of my
colleagues, as well as folks who are now forming.
colleagues. And by the time, the bill was amended, we had a
product that we felt like
The entire legislative branch of government could be.
The entire legislative branch of government could be proud
of as well as all of the stakeholders who worked with us.
over that 11 month time period, the bill.
over that 11 month time period, the bill was introduced in
its new form. We were fortunate enough that the bill was
able to not just pass out a committee but pass out of
council.
council and then be signed into law by the mayor.
Driving. Equality is honestly 1 of the greatest leg.
Driving. Equality is honestly 1 of the greatest legislative
accomplishments of my life. And I say that because
it is a bill.
it is a bill that other cities have looked at as a Poss.
solution to address this.
solution to address this National problem that exists in a
lot of urban.
lot of urban areas as it relates to driving while black
While we've had the privilege to talk to a number of
legislators.
legislators and a number of people who represent a number
of different cities,
of different cities are always taking a moment to give a
shout out to my name's sake. No relation council member
Thomas in Memphis.
Thomas and Memphis. Um a lot of us know that unfortunate
situation and took place in men some time ago and when that
incident took place in a black man, lost his life,
incident took place in a black man lost his life to
incident that started with the traffic stop.
incident that started with the traffic, stop the
legislators down there, thought that this could be a
possible solution to address what we know.
possible solution to address what we know as a national and
social ill.
and so for that reason, uh, we recognize that
And so for that reason, uh, we recognize that impact of not
just the legislation being passed.
just the legislation being passed here for us in
Philadelphia. But the possibility of the
Philadelphia, but the possibility of the legislation being
replicated across this across the country.
replicated across this across the country and there's a lot
of good that has come out of driving equality.
of good that has come out of driving equality here. In the
city of Philadelphia traffic stops are down. Significant
city of Philadelphia traffic stops are down significantly.
While traffic stops are down.
While traffic stops are down significantly. We've increased
the percentage of time where we actually find a weapon in
or some type of Contraband. When in traffic stop actually,
take place. Why? Because we've instructed and encouraged
law enforcement, to focus traffic.
law enforcement, to focus, traffic stops on people who
actually commit motor vehicle Co
actually commit motor vehicle code. Violations that are
public safety hazard. Things like
public safety hazard, things like speeding running. A red
light turning.
light turning left where you're not supposed to turn. Left
running through a stop sign.
running through a stop sign in so many other things that
put people in danger.
put people in danger here in the city of Philadelphia. We
have What's called the high Injury Network. The high Injury
Network is the parts of the city of Philadelphia, where we
see more car accidents take place than other parts for us
in the city of Philadelphia. It's unfortunate that the data
says that nearly 80% of our car accidents happen on only,
20% of our roads because of driving equality. We've
able to focus in on the high Injury Network, the places.
where we see the most motor vehicle go violations as well.
as the most Inc.
To this, that put constituent.
To this that put constituents in danger, no matter how they
choose to travel across the city.
choose to travel across the city of Philadelphia.
So, for those reasons, as well.
So for those reasons, as well, as considering the impact
that a traffic stop has
that a traffic stop, has on the actual police officer,
that's enforcing whatever violation. They may have seen fit
Their safety is 1. That's in that, that could be.
Their safety is 1, that's in that, that could be at risk
for these uh situations present themselves. So, with all
that being said, uh, we're very proud of the impact that
driving and quality has had not just nationally, but a
special here in the city of Philadelphia and we're excited
for the idea that you're entertaining.
for the idea that you're entertaining the possibility of
enforcing driving equality.
enforcing driving equality, in a great City of Chicago as
the data points out.
the data points out traffic stops. Unfortunately do not
lead to crime.
lead to Crime, uh, being lowered, um, increase in traffic
stops, do not
stops. Do not put us in a position where it has a positive
impact on public.
impact on public safety and for us in the city of
Philadelphia, we seen that the number of traffic stops that
we had that created negative outcomes. Put the city of
Philadelphia.
Philadelphia in a position where we had to pay for that
prior to driving the quality. The city of Philadelphia was
spending well over 20 million dollars a year. Settling
lawsuits,
lawsuits far too, often, those lawsuits, where lawsuits
started with the traffic stopped. So there are a number of
reasons.
reasons why we
Feel like driving in quality is such.
Impactful legislation. There are a number of reasons why we
feel like driving equality is something that can really put
us in a position to address.
us in a position to address a societal ill. So to the
phenomenal members of the Chicago city council, I want to
say thank you very much.
say thank you very much for putting us in a position to
even entertain the idea of driving equality. Be legislation
that you adopt in that great City and I want to close out
by saying we love you Chicago, we appreciate you.
by saying we love you Chicago, we appreciate you but this
is Eagle's Nations. The Eagles town. So
is Eagle's Nations, the Eagles town. So we always got to
finish it out by saying go Birds
to start to twist the night night night.
to start to twist the night night night at the end, um, by
really appreciate the present.
really appreciate the presentation, I really appreciate. I
want to say the the time and patience.
want to say the the time and patience of committee members
as everyone has shared or what I think everyone in the room
can agree on is a traffic stops is a complicated.
can agree on is a traffic stops is a complicated
multi-faceted issue.
multi-faceted issue in our city and others and being able
to bring all of that complexity, all of those
to bring all of that complexity all of those facets to this
conversation.
Has already.
Has already been deeply valuable. So I appreciate
everyone's time. Um,
With that said, council member Thomas and his staff are able
to.
to respond to any questions. You may have through the
chair.
to respond to any questions. You may have through the chair
and I will move first to the rez.
and I will move first to the resolutions sponsor almond
yansi for questions and comments. Good afternoon everyone.
Uh
uh to the Chicago Police Department. I do want to uh
publicly offer condolences on the loss of life of uh your
valued.
valued colleague. Uh, I'm sure it was tough, putting her to
rest yesterday.
rest yesterday but thank you for being here today. I had a
question.
had a question related to um,
Reporting. Uh, we heard in the news and in the presentation
today.
today that uh, about CPD Under reporting traffic.
today that uh, about CPD Under reporting traffic stops. Can
you help us understand why this
you help us understand why? This is happening if there's a
plan to fix it and what that timeline looks like
Yeah, I'll take that. So no.
Yeah, I'll take that. So. Noi Flores deputy director,
Chicago Police Department. So, uh, 1 of the issues
Alderman, is that, I think we need to look at that as
Alderman, is that I think we need to look at that as uh,
almost 2 different data sets, right?
almost 2 different data sets. Right? Um, the traffic. Stop
statistical studies, where we get.
statistical studies. Where we get the data for the traffic
stops. That was presented in the report.
stops. That was presented in the report that we present out
uh, to the state. Uh, the cad data is oemc data. Um, those
those are not
there.
there, there is some
There's some differences between the 2.
There's some differences between the 2 and 1 of the things
is that that it looks like.
is that that it looks like may be happening, is that?
uh, they're
Uh, they're being marked down for traffic stops when they're
really not down on traffic stops. Um, there may be use
where
Uh, and there's also like cases where there's traffic.
Uh, and there's also like cases where there's traffic
stops.
That in.
In.
In maybe in the classical sense. Don't necessarily
constitute to the level where they have to fill out a card
whether it be a vehicle that was pulled over for the
commission.
commission of a crime. Or if you're doing seat belt
missions, or if you're doing other,
missions, or if you're doing other missions or let's say,
you went down on a traffic crash.
They may be marked down as being on a traffic stop.
But they're not on an actual traffic stop. Um, so 1 of the
things and this is just kind of like over like an
overarching view of like what we've kind of looked through
and examine the data does that make up the whole
discrepancy? Uh, I'm sure it doesn't but I think that's
part of it, part of it.
part of it. Part of it is there's cases where instead of,
uh tsss
uh, tsss card, they may fill out an investigate Source,
stop report related to a vehicle. Also not the same thing,
but that may account for
that may account for some of that fluctuation
And in terms of fixing it, yes.
And in terms of fixing it, yes, we are in the process of
making a like 1 Stop.
making a like 1 Stop Shop if you will no pun intended. Uh
Report.
Report for all these different stops. Isrs traffic stops.
Report for all these different stops, isrs traffic stops.
And what we're hoping to do is kind of consolidate
everything in 1 spot.
everything in 1 spot and hopefully reduce some of those
kind of uh, differences and fluct.
kind of uh differences and fluctuations in the data.
Can you?
can you, uh,
Tell me.
Okay.
okay, you walk through for the committee and for those
listening, what happens?
During an investigative.
During an investigative stop. I've had my own experiences
in June of 20,
in June of 2022, I was pulled over twice for failing to
have a front license plate. Displayed, I just want to
understand if my experience is what typically happens.
during these stops.
Captain, Jake, Aldren.
Captain, Jake, Aldren training support group. So, certified
just understand the question correctly. You're asking the
process of what as far as our officers are trained to do
when they stop somebody. For a traffic violation is
when they stop somebody. For a traffic violation. Is that
the question? Yeah. Sort of what?
happens on the, I guess, the
Happens on the, I guess the for this conversation consumer
end of it. And then what happens?
end of it and then what happens on the back end in terms of
the reporting. So I'm trying to find out if the reporting
challenges you know to the first gentleman's Point
different.
different and classification at oemc versus CPD. Or is it
an issue with officers not submitting?
an issue with officers, not submitting, proper paperwork or
any of those sorts of things that so to help figure out
what's going on? Sure. All right, so
what's going on? Sure. All right. So the officers would
have noticed that violation uh, you referenced to not even
front license plate. They would have affected a traffic
stop. They would have gone down.
stop. They would have gone down on said traffic stop, uh,
over the
over. The are most likely putting himself, you know, at a
specific address uh as far as the you know, how they're
supposed to interact.
Act with the Community member on the stop.
act with the Community member on the stop know they're
trained to
there's,
There's basically we call it a tactical 9 step, uh, parts.
that are, you know, introducing themselves.
of that are, you know, introducing themselves. Letting you
know, that everything's being recorded on the body, worn,
camera. And also uh, informing the community.
camera. And also uh, informing the Community member of the
reason for the Stop. Uh,
reason for the Stop, uh, then they would, uh, you know, get
the amount. The
the amount the individual's license.
Uh, typically run.
uh, typically run it and then make a decision as to whether
or not, they're going to issue a citation or if it was just
an informational uh, stopped informed the member that you
know, you do not have a license and take no other action
regardless
Regardless they would have filled out a uh if there's no
citation.
citation issued, they would have filled out a traffic.
statistical study card. Commonly referred to
statistical study card, commonly referred to it. The police
department is a blue card and then those blue cards are
entered into the database. Uh you know showing the reason
for the stop, the time and some other statistical
information, that's captured
Uh, last question.
The CPD policy defines a pre.
The CPD policy defines a pretext stop to be 1 way or an
officer has the explicit intention.
officer has the explicit intention to investigate another
crime. Uh, yet we kind of know that that often is that
often the use of preet
often the use of pretext is implicit rather than explicit.
It's understood by the officer but but not by the person
that's being pulled over.
that's being pulled over what would explicit intention look
like to us under this policy.
Hi my capistan. Uh, Lieutenant research development Chicago
Police Department, we were working on um the policy that's
out there the
out there. The department policy that's out there, we've
been working in collaboration with the community Commission
on trying to define the terms to make sure we're all
talking about the same. Um, the same topic in terms of
um, the
Um, the policy requirements and the aspects. Um,
um, the policy requirements and the aspects. Um, that's
part of what we're seeking public feedback on and whether
we hit the mark with that definition, it's part of the
conversation we're having with ccps.
conversation we're having with ccpsa but based on what we
talked about and a lot of what the definition says that
explicit reason that officer has another intention or
Reason to make that stop.
Reason to make that stop um about and Beyond what that
traffic violation is.
traffic violation is that's the intent of that definition
but obviously it's still um in the public realm of
feedback, we're still working with the community commission
to ref.
to refine to make sure we're all talking about the same
thing when we're talking.
thing. When we're talking traffic stops and pretextual
stops.
Thank you, chairman, are you?
Thank you.
Thank you very much, Almani. Uh, do we have other members
with questions, comments? Yes.
with questions, comments? Yes, almond Hopkins.
Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chairman, uh, you know, you you can't
legislate what you can't Define and I think this is a key
moment, uh, where, you know, trying to, uh, read the minds
of law enforcement.
of law enforcement officials and say, well, you didn't
really intend to, uh, pull someone over for a tail light
violation. You really
violation, you really intended to pull them over, um,
because you wanted to search their trunk, extraordinarily
difficult to prove, certainly difficult to
difficult, to prove, certainly difficult to Define if we're
going to have policy based on that. I I just don't see how
we get there and I find it ironic that 1 of the UN
we get there. And I find it ironic that 1 of the unintended
consequences of pursuing this, uh, line of reform.
consequences of pursuing, this, uh, line of Reform could
potentially be to result.
potentially be to result in more violations issued for
relatively minor uh violations. In other words you get
pulled over because you have a cracked tail light.
pulled over because you have a cracked tail light and the
police officer says hey you have a cracked tail light and
the motorist says, you know what, I'm going to go to pep
Boys tomorrow and fix it and the police officer at that
point.
point has the discretion to say, all right, I'm not going
to give you a
Violation for that under this policy.
violation for that under this policy, uh, that would be a
disincentive for them because that could potentially be an
accusation that they made a pretextual.
accusation that they made a pretextual stop. So now they
have to document the fact that they pulled over a motorist
for a violation that actually occurred. And that means a
citation.
citation, that means a ticket. I don't know that. We want
that.
that, but if I were a police officer and I'm listening to
this debate,
this debate right now, that's the first thing that I'm
going to think, is from now.
going to think, is from now on, I'm not letting anybody
off.
with the warning, if you're pulled over for a cracked
window, you're pulled over for a seat, bike seat, belt
viol,
violation or uh not having a front license plate. You're
going to get a citation at that point because I want it.
going to get a citation at that point because I want it on
the record that I pulled you over for a legitimate reason.
Now, if I see a gun on the floor of the car, obviously,
Now, if I see a gun on the floor of the car obviously, uh,
that's probable cause and that that meets.
that's probable cause and that that meets the pre
pre-existing standards that we have here. So,
pre-existing standards that we have here. So there's
there's no need to change that part of the definition. Um,
but you know I I'm just I'm I'm troubled by this. There's a
but you know, I I'm just I'm, I'm troubled by this. There's
a reason that we have
There's a reason that we have minor uh, traffic violation
enforcement. There's a reason and it's Public Safety based
you.
You should have 2 functioning headlights, you should have a
functioning tail light, you should have a valid
registration.
registration if you have stolen plates on your vehicle. And
registration if you have stolen plates on your vehicle and
uh, a law-abiding motorist gets into a coll.
uh, a law-abiding motorist gets into a collision with you,
uh, and the Violator takes off who suffers from that the
person who is, uh, legally registered and and has a valid
plate,
plate. So I I
Is I just don't understand what we're trying to do.
Is I just don't understand what we're trying to do here.
We're we're um we're saying that we're not going to enforce
uh existing laws. Um then why have them you know? I mean I
just I I don't see uh how that uh is is a benefit to
society. There's public safety reasons. And I know we heard
the testimony that, uh, stopping enforcement of these laws.
does not result in an adverse impact on public.
does not result in an adverse impact on public safety.
Common Sense would dictate otherwise,
Common Sense would dictate. Otherwise I'm not sure if
there's a study that uh, you know, that supports
there's a study that uh you know that supports such an
assertion but we just had an experience here in Chicago.
assertion. But we just had an experience here in Chicago,
uh, for a brief period of time during Co when we
uh, for a brief period of time. During Co when we announced
we weren't going to in enforce parking.
we weren't going to in enforce parking meters and we all
saw what happened with that and we saw the
saw what happened with that. And we saw the results of the
the lawsuit that was filed the
the lawsuit that was filed. The word went out pretty
quickly, you didn't have to pay the meters.
quickly. You didn't have to pay the meters anymore because
you weren't going to get a ticket people.
you weren't going to get a ticket, people know that and the
same thing will apply here. If
the same thing will apply here. If we announced that you're
any, you're never going to get pulled over.
any, you're never going to get pulled over for having
invalid plates, or you don't have to worry about not having
a front plate. When the law says you do, what will happen
to?
to compliance. It just seems obvious to me. Uh,
to compliance? It just seems obvious to me. Uh, we don't
want to move in that direction. If there's a problem,
want to move in that direction. If there's a problem here
with uh, the Chicago Police being disrespect,
with, uh, the Chicago Police being disrespectful in the
course of, um, enforcing Arielle,
course of, um, enforcing relatively minor violations.
That's a solvable problem is is the Deputy Chief Stevens
alluded to, um, that's a
alluded to um, that's a training issue and I know we're
doing uh,
doing a great deal of work. Uh,
within the uh, context of the consent decree and others um
to change the
um, to change the way police interact with people. Uh, we
don't want people to have those bad experiences when they
have, even if they're getting a ticket, which they don't
want to get, um, you know, that's
want to get. Um, you know, that's no excuse to be
disrespectful but the uh, the soul
disrespectful but the, uh, the solution to that is better
training, not to stop enforcing existing laws. Uh, I just
can't support that concept. And that concept is at the core
of this, you know?
of this, you know, the the name of this organization free
to move implies um that everybody has the right to drive
around and you don't driving is a privilege and this very
committee. Mr. Chairman in this very committee we've looked
looked at the data that shows, pedestrians being
at the data that shows pedestrians being killed and injured
at extraordinarily.
at extraordinarily high and unacceptable rates. That's bad.
driving driving is a privilege. It's not a
driving driving is a privilege, it's not a right and if you
can't drive a motor vehicle and
you can't drive a motor vehicle and a safe responsible
manner, you shouldn't have
you shouldn't have the right to drive that motor vehicle.
And the only way to know that is if we enforce the exam
Existing laws. So um, I
Existing laws. So, um, I understand what the attempt, uh,
is to to make these changes but
to to make these changes. But uh, I I just don't think it's
the right thing to do. Well,
it's the right thing to do. Well, no, I appreciate it sir.
And I, I would say on much of that, I
and I, I would say on much of that, I I agree with you.
Everyone does deserve to be safe. Everyone is responsible
for safe driving. I would say for myself, that's why I
for safe driving. I would say for myself. That's why I find
it. Disconcerting to see the percentage of moving
violations. Being cited. Go down. So
violations. Being cited. Go down so precipitously but just
so we can have the appropriate p.
Journalists respond. When you talk about the policy, are you
um referencing the proposed CPD Pollock?
um referencing the proposed CPD policy on traffic stops or
the policy is described?
the policy is described within the freedom move coalitions
materials.
materials? Yeah. Thank you. I I I need to review a little
more.
more detail. The proposed policy from CPD but uh,
more detail, the proposed policy from CPD, but uh, just the
criticism of the policy that we had outlined here today is
is what I'm responding to and I'm, I'm simply stating my
opinion, not really asking.
opinion not really asking a question. Um, but I you know as
know, as as I said, I think, uh, the deputy chief is is on
right track here. Um, you know, there are
right track here. Um you know, there are there are changes
that need to be made that's why we have a consent decree.
and I understand that um but we need to make those changes
with an eye towards better.
changes with an eye towards better enforcement, not
abandoning enforcement, and that's where I have to draw the
line. Now that that's fine. I appreciate that. Sir would
any of the panelists? Wish.
any of the panelists wish to comment?
Yes. Uh, Miss Thompson.
Son. Hello. Okay. Thank you so much, Alderman. We app
Son. Hello. Okay. Thank you so much Alderman. We appreciate
your comments and your consideration of the the testimony
today. You know, we absolutely are on the same page of
being concerned about traffic safety. And in fact, that's
part of the reason why we came together as a coalition. Um,
we were initially came together, we have kind of a
broad-based coalition that includes a lot of trans.
broad-based coalition that includes a lot of Transportation
focused organizations who saw that the traffic code.
um, wasn't being used to actually
Um, wasn't being used to actually achieve Public Safety and
traffic safety. Um, but it was being used often as an
excuse to to stop black and brown people. And that's,
that's where the, the name of our Coalition comes from is
because black and brown people didn't feel as if they were
free to move through.
free to move through the city in the same way that that
white Chicagoans were. Um, and so we removed by that. Um,
and and named our Coalition after that. Um, but we do, we
do.
do appreciate the, the traffic safety concerns and I think
that's why we think this policy is so important, you know?
um things that show that are most dangerous driving.
Um things that show that are most dangerous. Driving
behavior are things like speeding moving V.
behavior, are things like speeding, moving violations,
distracted driving. Um, and unfortunately, that's not
what's being, um, stopped right now. Um, as I mentioned in
the presentation, um, over 65% of, uh, the stops are for,
uh, registration violations or improper lighting.
uh, registration violations or improper lighting
violations. Um, and to us that doesn't necessarily those
aren't things that are presenting immediate.
aren't things that are presenting immediate Road Safety
dangers.
Requiring an immediate law enforcement.
requiring an immediate law enforcement response and we know
that law enforcement has a lot of on their
that law enforcement has a lot on their plates. Um, and
they have to prioritize their time and so we
have to prioritize their time and so we think making uh
hundreds of thousands of stops each year.
hundreds of thousands of stops each year for minor
violations. When there is we agree.
violations. When there is we agree more dangerous driving
activity happening. Um isn't a good
activity happening. Um, isn't a good use of resources um,
and to give a little bit of data.
to give a little bit of data. I know you asked for some
studies um the center for policing equity.
studies, um, the center for policing Equity has put a
little bit of data on this, um, and I'm happy to share the
the, um, fact sheet with the, with the, um, committee
um, but just to, to flag this
Um, but just to to flag this. So they did a uh, a study of
um, all vehicles involved. In fatal, crashes nationally
between 2017 and 2021, and only 0.2 had any of these issues
all lists.
all lists, uh, even listed as a contributing factor. Um,
and so that's headlights signal lights or other lights,
wipers mirrors, or
wipers mirrors or Windows or windshield issues. Um, so it's
just just it's very incredibly fractional version of what's
leading to crash.
leading to crashes. Um there also was a study in
Connecticut between 2015 and 2019 that showed that tinted
windows and again, lighting issues were listed as a factor
in just 0.1% of of fewer than all crashes.
in just 0.1% of, of fewer than all crashes. Um, so there's
a little bit of, um, kind of shape to what, what led us to
this policy proposal. Um, and then finally, I'll share an
example. Um, the
example, um, the first jurisdiction and 1, that's cited in
a lot of these conversations.
a lot of these conversations is is from fab Bill North
Carolina. Um, where Chief Harold Medlock there, um,
recognized some serious racial disparities in his
Department, um, and decided
Department um, and decided that they didn't want to
Do pretextual type stops anymore. They wanted to focus on
traffic safety. Um and so he made
traffic safety um and so he made that a priority of his
department where officers were really focus.
department where officers were really focusing on, um,
dangerous driving behavior.
dangerous driving behavior and dangerous, driving areas.
Um, the high injury type networks that
the high injury type networks that you heard from
councilman Thomas, um, and they saw a real transformation
in their policing. Um, they
in their policing, um, they saw and and ultimately what
resulted in increased traffic.
resulted in increased Traffic Safety? There were fewer
accidents. After they, they implemented.
accidents, after they, they implemented, um, a policy that
limited the traffic stops that they'd made. Um, and they
didn't see any
effect on crime, um, to the
Effect on crime um, to the public safety bit. So happy to
talk more about kind of the evidence that that we've heard
of from other jurisdictions and and
of from other jurisdictions. And, and why we think it's so
important here in Chicago, um, to actually get a closer to,
to safer roads, but thank you for your question.
Did you want to make?
Did you want to make for? Okay, and I just wanted to
clarify because I know that council member Tom is in his
presentation. Talked about legislative work that the city
of Philadelphia did over on.
of Philadelphia did around traffic stops.
The city of Chicago.
the city of Chicago, this committee myself we are not
considering an ordinance around traffic stops nor are we
going to be the the goal of this was actually to shed more.
going to be the the goal of this was actually to shed more
light into the policy-making work happening?
light into the policy-making work happening at the CPD and
ccpsa level. So just wanted to make sure that we're all
clear on what council is and is not doing around traffic.
stops.
um,
other committee.
Other committee members. Yes, uh ottoman. Curtis
Other committee members. Yes, uh, ottoman Curtis. Yeah, I
would, I just wanted to uh, probably
would, I just wanted to, uh, probably, uh, make a comment.
Uh,
uh, about this, uh and and, and I do
Uh, about this. Uh, and and, and I do understand
uh,
Uh, where we going impact on inequality?
uh where we going impact on inequality here, uh,
I,
I couldn't agree with with with, uh,
My.
My colleague almond Hopkins. Uh if um,
I was I was looking at the report and of course, I'm on the
southwest side of Chicago.
And my ward is not.
In in uh, on the ground here.
In in, uh, on the ground here. Uh, but
uh, I do understand uh, what
Uh, I do understand uh what you're trying to do. Uh
uh,
Uh, I still believe that.
uh, I still believe that in all
Uh, occupations.
uh, occupations. There's good and there's bad. Uh,
Uh, occupations. There's good. And there's bad uh, apples
and and uh, 1 thing that I do
uh, appreciate and we
Uh, appreciate and we did.
Uh, try to address is.
uh, try to address is uh the consent decree and and
Uh, try to address is uh the consent decree and and I I
feel that we're still working on that consent.
feel that we're still working on that consent decree.
Um, when
um, when when we talk about, uh, limit, uh,
Our stops.
Again, early this year.
Uh, and it was only a few of us.
Uh, and it was only a few of us members wanted to even
change.
change, uh, things ordinances like, uh, speed limit.
In my community. Uh, I'm I'm doing more.
In my community. Uh, I'm I'm doing more speed humps.
Uh, traffic.
Uh, traffic signs. I would go with a red camera.
Uh, traffic signs. I would go with a red camera in my
community only because people are driving fast breaking the
law.
No matter what color?
No matter what color age race?
People are not respecting.
People are not respecting their driving privileges.
and and, of course, when
and and of course, when you fly through those signs,
I want you to be.
I want you to be stopped.
uh, if a, if
uh, if a if a vehicle
Is is even.
Is is even sitting for a long time suspicious.
uh,
I I I think it's different in in in every community.
I I, I think it's different in, in, in every Community. Uh,
I think that more people,
I think that more people need to be involved, especially
when
Dealing with.
Dealing with our consent decree and want to make it right.
for the public.
We're asking.
We're asking you to come to, uh, all of these.
We're asking you to come to, uh, all of these different
events voice your opinion.
events. Voice your opinion and let's work on it together.
I think that.
This group.
This group should also.
Go to these same meetings.
Go to these same meetings and voice their opinions.
So, I mean, that's that's just me. Um,
So I mean that's that's just me. Um a year we did a poll
across the city of Chicago. Uh and the everyone, number 1
concern was Public Safety, at the end of the day.
concern was Public Safety, at the end of the day, um, who
knows who has a a care and a weapon in the vehicle. Uh,
illegal weapon I was saying
uh,
we don't know so many things.
we don't know so many things happen.
That's 1 of the reasons, why?
That's 1 of the reasons why, you know, it's so hard.
When?
when, uh, we talked about even like the
when uh, we talked about even like the team takeovers
that's going on, someone always end up with a firearm.
And it's being transported in the car.
If you break in the law, if we have any, um, if you break
any laws,
if you, if you have a broken tail pip,
if you, if you have a broken tail pipe, if you have
um,
I mean.
I mean, I I won't cry about a a a front.
I mean, I I won't cry about a a a front license plate. As
long as you have a back license plate.
but uh, if you're breaking
but, uh, if you're breaking the law, um,
Actually.
Actually, you know, we need to deal with that, or we need
to change.
change laws because if we
to change laws because if we start
If we.
If we start, let's say we change the ordinance.
if we start, let's say we change the ordinance to
everything that they asked for
people will have their own perceptions that. Okay, let's do
this. We don't we're not going to get stopped in.
this. We don't we're not going to get stopped in Chicago.
Anyway, 1 thing that I really hate
uh, that
We're dealing with is.
Like the, the 4-wheelers you see.
Like the the 4-wheelers you see the 4-wheelers all over?
City of Chicago.
City of Chicago, they're illegal.
uh, no matter who's driving them, whether they're black
white,
white hispanic, they're illegal. And, uh, I feel they
should be stopped. Also,
so again, um, I think we need to probably look at
Some.
Get in the room together.
get in the room together and and and and uh,
That's where.
um, all facets of of, um,
Of um, our law enforcement.
our, uh,
Public Safety, uh, committees.
uh, we have our, uh,
Police.
Police uh, Council.
uh, and any other other entity that want to get into room
in the room and work all of these situations out.
in the room and work, all of these situations out and talk
about what's fair and not fair. The best thing that we
actually uh, got in
Actually uh, got in our possession. Also is a uh
Actually uh, got in our possession also is a uh body cam.
if a officer,
if uh, officer is being disrespectful, if
If uh, officer is being disrespectful, if an officer is
breaking the Constitution.
breaking, the Constitution, that cameras going to pick it
up.
uh, and and I I would definitely, uh,
Tell anybody in the General Public.
tell anybody in the general public, if you feel that you're
being disrespected,
being disrespected or your Constitution uh that you feel
has been violated.
You still have.
You still have a right to challenge that.
and, and
And and and that's just uh my take on this.
And and and that's just uh, my take on this. Thank you. I
appreciate the take sir. Uh,
I appreciate the take sir. Uh, it would anyone in the Box
want to comment?
want to comment on almond criticises? Yes, Joy.
Thank you, uh, alderman for your comment. Really appreci.
Thank you. Uh, alderman for your comment, really appreciate
that. Um, I will say that for the free to move call.
that. Um, I will say that for the free to move Coalition,
we are not saying that traffic code should not be en.
we are not saying that traffic code should not be enforced.
We're really, um, what we are saying is that CPD should
prioritize more serious.
prioritize more serious driving behaviors, like speeding,
like running red lights like improper turns because
like running red lights, like improper turns because those
are actually um traffic dangers.
are actually um traffic dangers that we need to make sure
our communities are safe around, right?
our communities are safe around. Right. And so um, but
majority of the
Majority of the stops that they are doing are from minor
traffic violations. That do not.
traffic violations that do not actually curb crime or
contrib,
contribute to roadway safety and so um,
contribute to roadway safety and so, um, I think another
point that you laid out is like, you know, making sure that
people are driving responsibly, right. Um, what we've heard
from a lot of community members is that these uh, traffic
stops, these pre pretextual traffic.
stops, these pre pretextual, traffic stops are are also
harmful. Um, and so the the trauma that leads way after the
traffic stop ends still lingers with Chicagoans. Um,
the traffic stop ends still lingers with Chicagoans. Um,
the data says that black people are 8 times.
the data says that black people are 8 times more likely to
be stopped than any other driver in the city.
be stopped. Then any other driver in the city of Chicago?
And so what we've seen from other jurisdictions,
And so what we've seen from other jurisdictions is that
they would have, uh, send
they would have uh send mailings to people who have like a
broken headlight or a broken tail light.
broken headlight or a broken tail light to really limit the
amount of contact from CP from police departments and
amount of contact from CP from police, departments and, and
civilians. So, that there was not, uh, any
civilians. So that there was not uh any uh, contact that
could um increase.
could um, increase to, you know, be more
Uh, severe.
Uh severe, right? And so our main focus is in improving
public.
Public Safety, and ensuring that CP.
Public Safety. And ensuring that cpd's time. It's allocated
to address more serious dangerous.
to address more serious, dangerous, driving behavior.
Yeah.
Yes. W Chief. Yes, thank you superintendent. Snelling has
clear his commitment to ensuring that traffic stops are
being used. Effectively for Public Safety. So I'm going to
turn it over to Captain Aldren and who could talk a little
bit more about the training that the officers are going
through?
Thank you. Captain. Jake Aldridge from training. Uh,
Thank you, Captain, Jake. Aldridge from training. Uh, both
Alderman mentioned, respect and professional.
Alderman mentioned, respect and professional treatment and
I just wanted to to really talk about that a little bit.
I just wanted to to really talk about that a little bit in
the context of all the training that's going on.
the context of all the training that's going on in the
police department. So, uh, last year, all of the training
was really themed around the Democratic National
Convention, we really found that was very helpful.
Convention, we really found that was very helpful and it
all had it tied together to that Nexus this year.
all had it tied together to that Nexus this year, it's all
about respect. Uh, we were planning on having 3, in-person
classes beginning of last year.
classes beginning of last year, that's required by the
consent decree.
consent decree superintendent Snelling in April of 2024.
consent decree superintendent Snelling in. April of 2024,
uh, decided that we were going to increase.
uh, decided that we were going to increase that go beyond
what's required and actually have 32 hours of in-person
training. So the additional class that was aided or added
was a 8 hour
was a 8 Hour course was designed by, uh, rfal
was a 8 Hour course, was designed by uh, RF alikhan. RF was
the director of constitutional policing.
was the director of constitutional policing for LAPD. He
was a federal prosecutor. He was also, the deputy mayor of
Public Safety for lap.
When they were under the consent decree and helped them.
When they were under the consent decree and helped them,
achieve all the necessary outcomes to get out of that.
consent decree. So he designed this course and that
consent decree. So he designed this course. And that course
is really all about, uh, professionalism. It's
is really all about. Uh, professionalism, it's about, uh,
strategic decision making it's about
strategic decision making, it's about doing the right thing
at the right, time for the right reason.
at the right time for the right reasons and, uh, you know,
with also obviously, you know, procedural, justice. So, uh,
justice. So, uh, you know, uh, uh, uh, respectful
treatment, um, all of that, uh, give
treatment, um, all of that, uh, giving others a voice new
trailing decision making,
making, uh, trustworthiness, all of that is
making, uh, trustworthiness. All of that is core to every
single training. The police department that's been doing,
like I said, that was April of 2024 for our training to be,
uh, approved. It's got to be approved by the independent
monitoring.
monitoring team and the Attorney General's office. So
there's a sign.
there's a significant amount of time that that takes that
training,
training is being delivered right now. This year, like
deputy chief Stevens mentioned. Those 2 classes that uh
vehicle stopped course and this constitutional
Course, both of, you know, so the vehicle sap course.
Course, both of, you know, so the vehicle sap course, has a
lot of scenarios in it.
Both of them are are.
Both of them are are real heavy on Fourth Amendment, making
sure officers know what they can do.
sure officers know what they can do, but not just what they
can do, but really, they should do right.
can do, but really, they should do right? And we're talking
about strategic purpose-based.
about strategic purpose-based policing, uh, and I, I know
that that's going to pay dividend.
that that's going to pay dividends in the future, but
that's going on right now in real time in 2025, every
single member of the Chicago. Police police department is
going to get both of those.
get both of those trainings.
Thank you very much.
Uh,
We've been working with an independent monitor, for a long
time. Is it a way that we can get some type of data from
those from the Independent monitor?
To the chair at any given time.
Sorry, could you repeat that? I'm sorry, sir.
Even when it comes down to the consent decree,
We have an independent.
we have an independent monitor. Yes. Can we get data from
the Independent monitor of what? He's, what they've seen,
he or she
In the last.
4 or 5 years.
Regarding pretext regarding traffic stops.
and,
And got it. Yeah, okay for this uh yeah.
And got it. Yeah. Okay for this uh yeah traffic. Stop say
traffic stops. We will reach out to the independent Monitor
and I will number 1. I'll reach out to you so we can
evaluate like you can elaborate more on that question so we
can get it to them and then
we can get it to them and then yes, we can get you more
information through the chair on that.
information through the chair on that, appreciate it.
Thank you, I I will.
Thank you. I I will say kind of like as a to tease out the
point that you were making around speed cameras and the
relationship between speed and traffic safety, and this is
kind of a teaser.
kind of a teaser for the work of the equity and enforcement
working.
working group that's been happening on the side, 1 Thing.
that we have learned is that Sada and finance.
that we have learned is that Sada and finance have
identified a clear core correl.
identified a clear core correlation between the number of
automated speeding tickets.
automated speeding tickets that you get in the city and the
likelihood that you will be in a crash that results in
serious injury and Fatality. And so, being able to
serious injury and Fatality. And so being able to delve
more deeply into that and understand how are we intervening
with drivers that?
with drivers that we know are going to probably involve
themselves.
themselves in the crash. That's something that we're going
to be coming back to you.
to be coming back to you in the fall on that work. So I
appreciate you raising that up. Um,
did we have other questions or comment?
did we have other questions or comments? I, I have a few to
close. Yes. Bye sir Cruse.
Thank you, chairman, I just have 2 questions. Um, first.
Thank you, chairman, I just have 2 questions. Um, first, I
want to say thank you for having not only the police
department here but the
department here, but the coalition to hear from both of
them at times, we tend to hear 1 side and not the other. So
I appreciate for all of you being here with us this
afternoon. Um, but as I'm looking at through this data,
afternoon. Um, but as I'm looking at through this data and
I'm seeing I'm going based on 2024 data how many
I'm seeing I'm going based on 2024 data, how many traffic
stop and what resulted in a gun.
based on my math, it's roughly about
Based on my math, it's roughly about 2,198. Like that means
a lot.
a lot when it comes to less guns in the street. So, my
question to the Coalition is
What, what does that mean to you? What does this mean when
What what does that mean to you? What does this mean when
we are actually taking?
we are actually taking less you know we're taking guns away
from the street. What does this mean to all of you?
Thank you all the woman from the question. Um, yes. We we
do. Um, that is, that's correct that that the data that you
cited,
cited. I think for us it's really about again prior
I think for us it's really about again prioritization of
resources. Um, there was that around
Prioritization of resources. Um, there was that around
2,000 guns, um, uh taken. But
2,000 guns, um, uh, taken. But, uh, there that is in
relation to over almost 300,000 stops. And so is there,
relation to over almost 300,000 stops. And so, is there a
way that we can use police time more efficiently to get?
way that we can use police time more efficiently to get
4,000 guns? 6,000 guns, what are the other ways that we're
4,000 guns, 6,000 guns, what are the other ways that we're
actually trying to achieve Public Safety in other ways that
address kind of the root causes of crime rather than
responding?
responding after the fact? Um, so I think that's the focus
of our Coalition and why we think that a reform like this
wouldn't,
wouldn't impact Public Safety necessarily. And that's what
they've seen in other.
they've seen in another jurisdiction. You heard from
council member Thomas that they actually saw increased
recovery rates after they implemented a reform.
recovery rates after they implemented a reform like this
because enforcement was more targeted. And we think that
there's a potential here too for police to be able to focus
on Behavior. That's actually, um, criminally suspect.
fishious, or
Icious or that actually is dangerous driving rather than
searching for a needle in.
searching for a needle in a hay stack. Um, that's not
necessarily the most efficient way.
necessarily the most efficient way in our minds, um, to uh,
to to you. Don't you don't. So you're saying that possibly
somebody was speeding
May will recover.
May will recover more guns from it like, you know, now if
we're reducing traffic stops and we're reducing everything.
like so you we're we're saying is
Perhaps.
Other behaviors will.
Other behaviors will will be able to collect some guns.
Like I'm trying to understand.
Like I'm trying to understand that, you know, I'm not sure,
but
But these guns nowadays are
horrifying like they all have extenders or, you know, it's
just for to collect 2,000, you know, guns.
just for to collect 2,000, you know, guns means means a
lot, I think for our communities and who are concerned. So
I'm just trying to understand
So I'm just trying to understand. Um, again, if limiting
and
stopping and ending uh, you know, based on on
and stopping and ending, uh, you know, based on on, on what
is proposed here. We're really yield those
proposed here. We're really yield those results. I mean,
what, what is the police thing like
what, what is the police thing? Like you would think, uh,
limiting low-level traffic stops, again restricting the
pretextual traffic,
pretextual traffic stop and um, or ending this
suspicionless.
suspicionless context, uh,
Consent searches.
Consent searches will yield more guns.
Well, I was going to say 2 things.
well, I was going to say 2 things uh 1 thing and it kind of
speaks to the difficulties with
of speaks to the difficulties with the siloed, uh, way we
actually collect some of the information. Uh, if we look at
data related to Traffic related arrests where a gun is
recovered, we're actually recovering.
recovered. We're actually recovering closer to 4,000 guns
per year. Uh, which actually turns out to be about 30% of
the guns recovered in Chicago, more or less.
the guns recovered in Chicago, more or less over the past 2
years and that kind of speaks to the guns 1 part. But the
other part is again that that kind of discrepancy between
uh maybe some of the cad dat.
uh maybe some of the cad data and the traffic. Stop
statistical data where we're trying to make that.
statistical data where we're trying to make that, um, that
1.
1 applicants in Chicago.
Would you pardon a qualifying question real quick? I I
think it gets at what you're getting at. Well, my thing is,
like we're we're you know, pointing that there's
discrepancy on the data. Um, clearly
on the data. Um, clearly there's also this courtesy of this
data to when it.
data to when it comes to how many guns are being um
collected here.
collected here as well. I, I would say so if I met, sorry,
no.
no way floor is deputy director CPD. So the data in itself,
there's no like their data matches my data, right when
there's no like their data matches my data, right. When it
comes to the traffic, stop statistical study. The issue
comes into play where we're taking it, maybe from that CAD
the OMC data, which again, is I. I consider it a very, it's
a different data set and some of the other data points. So,
in some of these cases, it may be that the officers were on
some other traffic related.
Um event.
Um, events or Mission, and that resulted in arrests and they
got a gun.
they got a gun.
So, that was not documented. I see in the traffic.
So that was not documented. I see in the traffic. Stop
statistical study but it did come from a traffic.
statistical study, but it did come from a traffic related
arrests.
If that makes sense. So the date itself.
If that makes sense. So the date itself, there is no issues
with their data that I would say. I imagine what they have.
I appreciate that clarification. That's um, so again it
there's just so much to it but for me it's like when we
again, we're recovering guns, we people are being arrested
like, I mean, maybe we do want to see better numbers.
like, I mean, maybe we do want to see better numbers, yes,
but
there's just a lot to to juggle here. But, um,
There's just a lot to to juggle here. But, um, a quick
question for CPD and this is just because a lot of people
do ask um when it comes to people that
do ask um when it comes to people, they're speeding or
taking stops signs. Um,
what are what are some of the plans to increase some sort
of the violations for those individuals who are speeding or
again?
Or again, not
Making a stop.
Is there any plans to increase?
Is there any plans to increase more citations to stop more
people? Because you see it all the time like somebody.
takes.
The light and like nothing.
The light and like nothing happens.
why is that, or
Why is that or what are the plans to increase?
So every day Chicago, police officers Patrol.
so, every day, Chicago police officers Patrol, the streets
of Chicago, and when they do see a violation like that, our
they will make those traffic stops. Um, so I think that
daily their patrol, UH, responsibilities will not
responding to calls.
responding to calls are to enforce those traffic spot
stops. Um,
um and those traffic violations, no matter how minor they
are.
minor they are. Um, if they're breaking the law, they will
enforce those traffic.
enforce those traffic violations.
Wait, I Believe Miss mobio wanted to comment on the
confirmand question. Yeah, I appreciate the question. I
know.
know uh, the data around the um, collecting of
know uh the data around the um collecting of guns was also
um important for us too. And so I think um, I think
um important for us too. And so I think um I think what's
important to note is that out of these hundreds of
thousands of stops that are being conducted um, that it's a
very it's it happens very
very it's it happens, very rarely that they do recover but
the the trauma and harassment of getting to that is the
issue that is disproportionately affecting black and brown
folks is the issue. And so uh,
Folks is the issue. And so uh we agree that Public Safety
is our number 1 concern. But um, what we're finding is
that, uh, CPD is spending a lot of their time, like doing
the
you know, like needle in the hay stack, trying to, you
know,
these, you know, like needle in the hay stack, trying to,
you know. Um um um, like really
you know, um um um, like really search for
For things when really they find them?
For things when really they find them when um I we've heard
numerous of stories.
heard numerous of stories where people have, like call
police because of incidents of crime and violence, and it
took hours for them to get there because of kind of, like
fishing,
fishing while they were like fishing, um, during traffic
stop.
stops to, like, find these cases. Um, I think another piece
that around the data that we were also interested in is
like,
like um, why exactly were some of these guns?
like, um, why exactly were some of these guns recovered and
there's no data um to that as well?
there's no data um to that as well and so um some of them
are like are steering.
are like are steering from like an arrest as um.
are like are steering from like an arrest as um gentlemen
stated earlier. And so we're not sure like what types of
reasons these guns are, you know, being competitive as well
which is, you know, we would love to know.
which is you know, we would love to know, I get it. But
when we take some guns out of those streets, I mean, that's
that's a win. Um,
that's a win. Um when it comes to again, making our
communities um, more safe, like I understand people want to
know,
to know but I mean they're being recovered and again,
to know but I mean, they're being recovered and again, that
that stuff
finally, there is something that that is
Finally, there is something that that is important and um
you know, I think we can go back and forth.
know I think we can go back and forth when it comes to
those experiences, right? Like the positive and neg.
those experiences, right. Like the positive and negatives
because I think there is I want to say that you know
because I think there is I want to say that, you know, I
have received a positive feedback from the police
department when it comes to some of my residents being
stopped and say the experience was completely different
that many years ago. Um, but yeah, I can understand there's
some still, some frustrations
some still some frustrations when what is happening
nowadays, but again,
I get that part of things when it comes to making people be
treated fairly. Um, again, I, I would need more time on
this. I don't know if this is really the, the answer but
I'm glad we're not, you know, there is no legislation now
that as you clarify. Um,
that as you clarify, um, chair. But again it's it's very
good to see both.
good to see both both points. So and again I'll put in a
plug now.
plug now and also at the end public comment on the proposed
Pollock.
policy through July 14th. Correct? Yes.
policy through July 14th. Correct. Yes. There we go. Okay.
Any other?
Any other questions? No. Okay. And before we go to uh,
order woman, man, not happening worth, just a follow-up
question.
there. I don't know if we've parsed
the data this way, but I'm curious if
the data this way, but I'm curious, if there are categories
of violations that we've found in Chicago, that are more
likely to result in,
likely to result in Contraband being recovered. Do we have
that kind of data? That's data we can definitely parse out
but I just don't have it available if I could get it
through the chair I would
through the chair, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you
very much sir. Yep.
All right, alderwoman.
Thank you, chair.
I want to say first, thank you to CPD for being here. And
I'm I'm very
I'm very sorry for your loss. My condolences to you and
the family, the Fallen officer, I know.
the family, the Fallen officer. I know the sacrifice that
you need to make every day when you work. So I appreciate
that you're here.
Also want to say I'm so sorry to my colleague.
Um, you should feel Alderman Yancey, you should feel.
Um, you should feel Alderman Yancey. You should feel safe.
To drive.
To drive in any neighborhood in Chicago.
and,
And you are black and you will continue to be black.
And you are black, and you will continue to be black and
every black person and brown person.
every black person and brown person in Chicago, should also
feel that safety
Um, I'm glad to hear that.
Um, I'm glad to hear that superintendent Snelling is, is
committed.
committed to
Ensuring that traffic.
Ensuring that traffic stops are being used. Effectively for
Public Safety.
Uh and I'm always glad to hear.
Uh, and I'm always glad to hear about the training that he's
implementing.
Um,
thank you.
thank you for holding this hearing. Um, would you mind
showing this
Again.
So, my community.
So, my community is in the Edgewater area.
So my community is in the Edgewater area, uh, the 24th and
the 20th District.
the 20th districts Edgewater
And I was Sur.
And I was surprised to see.
That I was what number of.
That I was what number of 4 and the number of traffic
stops.
I do have a very diverse Ward.
Across race and class. We have 60 different languages.
Across race and class. We have 60 different languages
spoken in our public schools and a high.
spoken in our public schools and a high number of probably
the highest population.
the highest population of e, Ethiopian refugees and
immigrants.
in in, in our area in Edgewater
and so, I am concerned about
The.
The feeling of community.
The feeling of community and safety that we all want to
feel.
feel when we're using our public ways.
Um, when we're driving around walking around.
Um, when we're driving around walking around taking
Transit.
um,
I do. I'm I'm very interested in this.
I do. I'm I'm very interested in this and I'm and I'm glad
that ccpsa is here too. I know that um, along with all
that ccpsa is here too. I know that um, along with Alderman
Nancy
um, commissioner driver has
Um, commissioner driver has also shared his story about
being stopped.
being stopped in in neighborhoods. Um,
and, and I also share the
and and I also share the concern about the number of guns
on the streets that the um, 40th Ward had a very
historically. High number of gun violent incidents is that
involved young people and so I want that to be addressed as
well.
I also want to say that the 40th,
I also want to say that the 40th Ward.
Um, has 2 incredible.
Um has 2 incredible, police commanders. Um,
um has 2 incredible police commanders um Commander Gil
Meyer and also Christian
and and, and so I'm very
And and, and so I'm very glad that they're there and we
work together. Well,
um, and I know that they share the values that I
Um, and I know that they share the values that I hold which
is everybody should feel safe, no matter how old you are.
is everybody should feel safe. No matter how old you are
you can call all of your skin, you know, wherever you live.
live in Chicago. But it does bother me to see this data.
in Chicago. But it does bother me to see this data and I do
believe that we should be data driven.
believe that we should be data driven in the things that we
do.
Including reviewing the policies that we have.
Including reviewing the policies that we have in place.
Because it's important.
because it's important, I think that 80% of policies
actually fail in implementation and the lack of review and
oversight to make sure that's actually working. And so, I'm
glad that that this is, um, being talked about, um,
especially since we have a new commission, the ccpsa.
Uh, working with CPD on reviewing these Pollock.
Uh, working with CPD on reviewing these policies. So I'm
interested actually in hearing about
um, more about the
Um, more about the agreements that CPD and CCP.
Um, more about the agreements that CPD and CCP as they have
around traffic stops. We I know we briefly
Glossed over it. But I, I believe that.
Glossed over it. But I I believe that there are some shared
things that we all agree on and and so, I'm hoping
things that we all agree on. And and so I'm hoping that
somebody could speak on that a little bit. That is a great
question. Adam, would you would you mind going back and
kind of like summarizing the spaces of agreement between
and I know as you pointed out what the perspective of
Commissioners is is a very variable thing.
Commissioners is, is a very variable thing but can you talk
about spaces of agreement? Broadly.
about spaces of agreement, broadly between the commission
and CPD on policy?
Uh, sure. And just to, to clarify about the commission's
pro.
process where the commission hasn't yet taken a vote,
process where the commission hasn't yet taken a vote on
anything. What the commission has done is, uh, uh, had an
opportunity to review the draft policy that CPD has
submitted to the independent monitor
submitted to the independent Monitor and the office of
Attorney General. Um, individ
Attorney General, um, individual Commissioners had comments
on elements of that proposed policy and
comments on elements of that proposed policy and there
weren't individual commissioner
uh, responses to most
Uh, responses to most of what was in the policy. So we take
that. We sort of understand that to mean support for those.
that. We sort of understand that to mean support for those
elements of the policy. But again, there hasn't been a
formal process.
formal process for voting or coming to a commission
position.
position on that. Um having said that some of the important
important Provisions in the CPD policy that didn't generate
any objection from any individual.
any objection from any individual Commissioners. Um, where
that the the policy describes, when and how
that, the the policy describes, when and how the police
department, uh, how Police Department mem,
department, uh, how police department members can conduct
traffic stops, for example,
traffic stops. For example, it says that traffic stops
policy must be, uh, implemented.
policy must be, uh, implemented in a way that guarantees
fair and equal treatment under the law. It says that CPD
members will act in a way.
members will act in a way that promotes safe and positive
police community.
police Community interactions and treats all people with
courtesy and dignity.
It says that traffic stops will be conducted without bias.
It says the traffic stops won't be conducted.
It says the traffic stops won't be conducted um or based on
uh factors like race.
on uh, factors like race ethnicity, gender, gender
identity, or immigration status.
the policy also lays out specific
The policy also lays out specific procedures that CPD
members would need to follow.
members would need to follow when conducting traffic stops
for.
For example, every traffic stop would need to be recorded
on camera.
And CPD and members would need.
and CPD, and members would need to be clearly identifiable
as
CPD officers.
The draft.
The draft policy also describes when it would be permitted
for a police offic.
for a police officer to remove a driver or passenger from a
car or to handcuff the driver or passenger or search the
car.
car, and it describes what police officers would need.
car and it describes. What police officers would need to
communicate to drivers or passengers when any of those
things happen. So there'd be a bunch more debt.
things happen. So there'd be a bunch more detail in policy
than exists today.
The policy says that every traffic stop would need to be.
documented in a stop report. And unless the
documented in a stop report and unless the traffic stop
results in a ticket or an arrest at CPD would be required
to give the driver.
to give the driver a um, a written receipt with
to give the driver a um a written receipt with information
about the stop.
The Pollock.
the policy also says that at the end of every shift, CPD
supervisors,
supervisors would be required to review every tap traffic.
Stop to see if it was conducted and documented properly.
Information about all stops.
Information about all stops would be publicly posted on
cpd's website.
and every year CP,
And every year CPD would do an annual report on traffic
stops. And
stops and at least, every 2 years.
At the department.
At the department, would do a comprehensive review and
assessment of traffic.
assessment of traffic, stop policies. And that process
would include community.
would include Community engagement and and work with the
commission. So those are all Provisions that are included
in cpd's draft.
in cpd's draft policy uh that didn't draw.
in cpd's draft policy, uh, that didn't draw um, any
opposition so we assume there's support for
opposition. So we assume there's support for um, from
Commissioners for those provisions.
Thank you. Thank you for outlining that I
Thank you. Thank you for outlining that. I I I know it
seems to me that there has been significant.
seems to me that there has been significant conversation,
uh, between ccpsa and CPD. So I I wanted to appreciate that
work.
that work and I know it seems to me that there's more
ahead.
ahead that needs to be talked about.
ahead that needs to be talked about, um, that that we are
not going to be involved in with those conversations. But,
um, but I do, I had actually,
um, but I do I had actually a question about
The language.
The language that's being used today about.
Specific versus reason.
specific versus reasonable articulate articulable suspicion
or
suspicion, or probable, cause
and can you just for me?
and can you just for me clarify the difference between
those 2 just
those 2? Just I'm not really clear on
What are?
what are we what are we trying to change in terms of
What are we? What are we trying to change in terms of the
standards?
And why?
Sure, thank you for the question. It's my capistan.
Sure, thank you for the question, it's my capistan, uh,
Lieutenant research and development, Chicago Police
Department. Um,
based on what we've um done in the draft policy, it was
building up on what um
building up on what, um, Captain Alderman has talked about
training about, um, not only the legal standard in
allowing, those types of actions. But
allowing, those types of actions but going beyond that
lingo standard into, you know, should officers be making
decisions and what that entails. So, right now in terms of,
um, the legal standard for those actions in terms of
requesting a consent search, um, removing someone from a
vehicle or handling a coughing that I'm
vehicle or handling, a coughing that um, a person in that
vehicle, those are based on, um, case law, which provides
guidance, but not legal standard.
guidance, but not legal standards.
For officers to conduct those. What our policy does is it
goes beyond that having officers articulate a specific
reason for any of those actions. That's lesser than
reasonable.
Reasonable articulable Suspicion or probable cause which
would then go beyond a traffic stop and that would become
an investigatory. Stop.
an investigatory stop, which has a different set of
practices a different set of Pollock.
practices, a different set of policies different training.
So what we were trying to do and developing standards was
to provide guidance to our officers developed based on the
training in that critical decision that strategic
training in that critical decision, that strategic decision
in making those decisions above.
in making those decisions above and beyond what case law
allows.
so, so to be clear, we are your conversations are moving
towards making it more the uh higher standards to
towards making it more the uh, higher standards to to do
traffic stops. I'm just I just want to be
traffic stops. I'm just, I just want to be I want to
understand what kind of conversations you're moving.
understand what kind of conversations you're moving into
next.
Sure, not. Not necessarily for the
sure, not not necessarily for the traffic stops, but the,
the respectful treatment during the
respectful treatment during the traffic stops in terms of
those particular action,
those particular actions, in terms of requesting a consent
search, or
consent search or requesting someone be removed from the
vehicle, our
vehicle our policy articulates, it officers need to
Express a reason why they're making those decisions.
Express a reason why they're making those decisions based
on the training and the constitutionality of that stopped.
So there isn't a higher standard for the stops, but in
terms of, um, ensuring there's a respectful interaction and
communication during that stop.
Yeah, thank you.
Yeah, thank you so much. Can you also, uh,
Yeah, thank you so much. Can you also uh clarify how long
those kinds of trainings have been going on?
Sure. I so the uh for years. So we've been teaching, you
know, procedural Justice. I mentioned that earlier for
years, that's been embedded. We did used to teach that as
black instruction. Now it's pretty much interwoven.
black instruction. Now it's pretty much interwoven in every
single class that we teach. So you know,
single class that we teach. So, you know, that the basics
are, uh, you know, on every step you
basics are, uh, you know, on every step you'd be giving
others a voice, uh, respectful treatment of others,
neutrality, and decision-making, and trustworth.
neutrality, and decision-making and trustworthiness. That's
the, the key concepts of pro.
the, the key concepts of procedural, Justice, and that has
been going
and for a number,
And for a number of years, like this year, there's 4 in
person class.
person classes, I mentioned 2 of them, I mentioned that.
constitutional police and foundations class. And the
deescalate stop class. There's also a third in-person
class.
deescalate stop class. There's also a third in-person class
that uh is uh it has able
that uh is uh, it has able. So that's active bystandership
for law enforcement and then
bystandership for law enforcement and then a fourth
in-person class which is, uh, Cris
in-person class, which is a crisis intervention Wellness,
which is really, uh, focused on
uh, focused on uh, you know, teaching our members how to
appropriately.
appropriately interact with me, uh, with community members
and crisis.
and crisis to achieve the safest best outcomes for all.
and crisis to achieve the safest best outcomes for all on
every 1 of those interactions. But that training has been
going on for, uh, several years especially
going on for, uh, several years. Especially, you know, with
the consent decree, we have these training requirements, 3,
you know, 24 hours of in-person every single year and uh,
that, you know, will continue.
that, you know, will continue into the future.
Thank you. I, I appreciate that. Uh, I remember being at
the police academy and um,
It was, uh, it's a lot. It's a lot.
It was, uh, it's a lot, it's a lot to go through those
trainings.
Um, I want to
I want to come back and say that.
I want to come back and say that the the 48th Ward is the
end of Dhaba Lake Shore Drive.
And, um, and our calls for service our number 1.
And, um, and our calls for service. Our number 1 calls for
service in the 20th, and 24th district is about,
Traffic safety and parking.
And, and right now we're in the midst.
And and right now we're in the midst of a water main
replacement and Lead line replacement um project.
replacement and Lead line replacement um project with dwm.
And
and C Dots and and I Dot and
and C Dots. And and I Dot and um, 40,000 cars. Just go down
in front of my office every day but we've
in front of my office every day, but we've had to block off
cars. I'm saying this because I'm I'm trying to describe
this very condensed.
this very condensed Ward as it is now. And, and we're
this very condensed Ward as it is now and and we're, when
we're talking about traffic violence, we're we're feeling
it, you know.
it. You know, every day people are hot anyway, but
actually getting out of their cars. They're banging.
actually getting out of their cars. They're banging on each
other because cars, they're side, swiping, they're a lot.
accidents, I have it all documented people are sharing this
with me every day.
with me every day, but I'm telling you this because I'm at
the same.
the same time people want to see officers,
the same time, people want to see officers, they want a
relationship with officers, so we appreciate, for instance,
the, um, officer that we have on our
the, um, officer that we have on Argyle, you know, we, we
want more of that people want more of that, they want,
want more of that people want more of that, they want
relationships,
and, and so to have
and and so to have opportunities to have more, um,
Of you all on bikes.
Of you all on bikes on on the sidewalks, in our businesses,
you know?
you know, interacting with our young people and means a
lot.
uh, to us um and and
Uh to us. Um and and we could also use some help right now
on the ground because, you know,
on the ground because you know, the traffic violence is is
real real real. Um,
is real real real. Um, also I want to say thank you to, to
the Coalition for you to move Coalition this
the Coalition for you to move Coalition. This is very
important work. You know, we need to address.
important work. You know, we need to address our procedures
and we need to continue to review them. And to make sure
that the data aligns with the intent of the policies. And
so thank you for for using um, a very critical eye. Um,
critical eye, um, on on our procedures and, and what we're
doing. And how
doing and how we're doing it. It, it matters, um,
doing and how we're doing it. It, it matters. Um, because
the this is this is our, this is the blueprint.
the this is, this is our, this is the blueprint, right?
It's the structural way that we are. Going to ensure that
everybody is, is safe. No matter where they are in the city
of Chicago. So thank you for your work. Thank you, chair.
Thank you.
Thank you Walter woman. Uh, I want to take a moment to
recognize.
recognize that we have a group of visiting us from the
initiative Suited.
initiative suited for cause and the organization the all
alliance 98 from Little Village. Thank you all.
alliance 98 from Little Village. Thank you. All for coming
to visit us you have uh
to visit us, you have, uh, walked into the tail end of the
committee on pedestrian and traffic. Safety doing a hearing
on traffic stops if that's a topic of interest to you.
you've got some great people on the room to talk to you,
uh, as we close out today. But thank you so much for
Listening with us all. Um, I
Listening with us all. Um I have a few questions. I I want
to start by particularly thanking all of our panelists.
to start by particularly thanking all of our panelists, but
particularly thanking our Representatives
particularly thanking our representatives from the Chicago
Police Department.
the day after the funeral of your colleague,
you would have more than been excused.
to say, this is a a day that
To say, this is a a day that we can't be here with you.
I'm very
On very gracious for your support and your presence today.
On very gracious for your support and your presence today
as a father, as a husband.
I can't conceive of what it would be.
I can't conceive of what it would be to lose the partner in
my life.
my life and my heart really does go out to you and all of
your colleagues sincerely. Um, I just have 3 very quick
questions for you as we talk about the Pollock.
questions for you. As we talk about the policy that we're
that CPD and ccpsa attorney, general, and the judge are
collaboratively,
collaboratively drafting
What is the?
What is the universe of stops that that would apply to you?
Because we have talked about these 2 data sets, the the TSA
blue card.
blue card traffic stops the broader number. That is
blue card traffic stops the broader number, that is
reported back to oemc.
What?
What is the universe of stops? There will be considered for
the policy that we're working on.
Thank you for that.
Thank you for that question. Mike AIC Chicago Police
Department.
Department, the the policy that um, thank you
Department, the the policy that, um, thank you for
mentioning the the public posting as well. That's open to
July 14.
July 14th, I appreciate that. Um, that policy is, um,
July 14th. I appreciate that. Um, that policy is, um, very
specific to traffic stops and the traffic stop based on the
traffic stop.
the traffic stop statistical study is a vehicle stopped.
that's based on a traffic law violation, whether it's a
moving violation.
moving violation, um, equipment violation or licensing
violation,
violation. That's what this policy is. Um,
violation. That's what this policy is, um, geared to
represent and to make sure that those interactions are
constitutional, professional and respectful.
constitutional, professional and respectful, um, the other
stops that we've talked about in terms of investigator,
stops
are stops that are
Are stops that are based on criminal activity. It could be
a pedestrian stop. It could be
a pedestrian. Stop. It could be a vehicle stopped, you
know, for for crimes other than traffic violations. So
we're talking about, you know, your car,
we're talking about, you know, your carjacking, um, thefts
things of that nature, those
things of that nature. Those are covered in an
investigatory stop policy and we actually
investigatory, stop policy and we actually um, that's
already included within the consent.
already included within the consent decree. And we actually
have a suite of policies that are ready to be implemented.
have a suite of policies that are ready to be implemented,
um, on our website. Um,
Um, on our website. Um, talk talk all about um, policing
encounters and the Fourth Amendment and we get into
investigatory stop.
investigatory stops specific procedures on how to conduct
those types of stops as well, specific documentation
specific,
specific policies, on that stopped. So, there is a
Function between the 2 sets of stops that investigatory.
Stop Pollock.
Stop policy is um, were developing the training right now.
Stop policy is um, were developing the training right now
in conjunction with the monitoring team and the um, the
attorney.
Attorney General to implement our policies. Um, our revised
policies on those stops and then we're continuing that
work. As we're talking about these very specific stops.
work. As we're talking about these very specific stops in
terms of traffic violations.
So, what?
So what what then we might say is that the policy as being
drafted?
drafted would apply to
What we might?
What we might call non-investment stops, is that?
What we might call non-investment stops, is that an
accurate statement on my behalf? Correct. They would be
based.
based on uh, vehicle stops based on traffic.
based on, uh, vehicle stops based on traffic law
violations. So, yeah, non investigatory stuff, right? Got
it.
it, I appreciate that. Thank you. Um,
second.
second follow-up question, we've talked a lot about
uh, improvements enhancing expansion of training, uh, over
the last year or so,
the last year. Or so, I was wondering if we could speak to
You what are what is the evaluation of?
you what are, what is the evaluation of that training going
to look at, which is to say, how do we hope to see the the
behavior, the interaction between officers and the public
change? As a result of the training are there metrics that
we're going to look at that. We'll say either, this
training is
is working or we have to do something differently.
yeah, I think there's many different ways that's
Yeah, I think there's many different ways. That's I'll just
mention a few. So I know there's, uh, you know, Chicago
Police, you know, sentiment data that.
Police, you know, sentiment data that they're tracking, uh,
additionally, every year. We
additionally. Every year we do a, a very in-depth needs
assessment that needs assessment.
assessment. That needs assessment takes into account
community members and, uh, officers, they both, uh, submit
feedback.
feedback as to what additional trainings are required and
and the depth, uh, that should be covered there. Uh, I also
believe that if we look at things such as uh, you know,
citizen complaints, um you know, litigation all of those
things.
things could be good metrics as far as evaluating the
efficacy of the training that.
efficacy of the training that department members are
getting every year. Uh,
getting every year. Uh especially you know this year like
with that theme of respect.
with that theme of respect and you know, all of this
commitment the additional class of superintendent added. Uh
I I know are going to really pay dividends uh once
I I know are going to really pay dividends uh, once all
these members get trained in 2025
Thank you, uh, very much for that.
And actually, you covered my last question.
And actually, you covered my last question earlier. So I I
just want to thank everyone for their time. I want to check
if we have any
check. If we have any closing questions. Come know. We
heard from all of my colleagues here. I mean that's that I
want to really take a moment to thank everyone for their
participation here today for highlighting.
Where were all? Where we're at? Where we're going?
Where were all? Where we're at? Where we're going. I I
believe I know we've sent out a lot of information to
committee members. We will also send out to you all the
link through which your constituents can comment on the
draft policy. So we can
draft policy, so we can get as much feedback to you all as
possible. And again, my, my deep gratitude
possible. And again, my my deep gratitude to all of you
For your leadership on this issue.
for your leadership on this issue and for almond Yancey for
his sponsorship.
his sponsorship and Leadership of the resolution with there
being
there, being no further business. Before the committee may
I have a motion to add
I have a motion to adjourn ottoman Hopkins. So moves all
those
all those in favor. Signify by saying, I, I, we are
all those in favor signify by saying I, I, we are
adjourned. Thank you all.