Hunter
12/05/23
New data suggests racial disparities among traffic stops conducted in Coralville between 2021-2023.
The Daily Iowan reports that the data, presented to the Coralville Police Advisory Board, found that non-white people are 30 percent more likely to get a citation, while white people are 40 percent more likely to get a warning. People in minority groups are nine times more likely to be arrested after a traffic stop.
St. Ambrose University criminal justice and sociology professor Chris Barnum led the study, which analyzed such factors as time of day and the types of violations documented.
White individuals make up 69 percent of Coralville’s population but only account for 56 percent of the traffic stops. African American individuals make up 16 percent of Coralville’s population and accounted for 28 percent of the traffic stops.
Coralville Chief of Police Shane Kron told the DI the issues at play are broader than what data can sometimes represent, but maintaining policing goals and training is something essential in helping to reduce disparities.
The study recommends that Coralville police continue monitoring for potential disproportionality.
