Chicago City Wire

Efforts are underway in Illinois to reconsider the use of traffic stops, a topic that continues to generate debate across the state. Discussions are centered around the concept of "pretextual" traffic stops, which involve stopping a vehicle for a minor infraction while investigating another potential crime. Despite concerns surrounding racial profiling associated with such stops, the U.S. Supreme Court deemed them constitutional in 1996.

Former Riverside Police Chief Tom Weitzel argues against the notion that these stops are prevalent or purely pretextual. He maintains that officers often can't see the race of a driver until face-to-face interactions occur, due to factors such as tinted windows. Weitzel writes that the claim linking traffic stops to racial profiling is unfounded, stating, "There is no such thing as a pretextual traffic stop."

He discusses the reality of traffic enforcement in Illinois, where movements to eliminate certain "minor" traffic stops are gaining traction. This push was amplified by the 2024 fatal shooting of Dexter Reed by police in Chicago, leading former Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx to propose limited prosecutions in gun cases initiated by minor traffic stops.

The former chief supports traffic stops as effective crime prevention methods, citing instances where routine stops lead to the discovery of criminal activity or wanted individuals. Officer presence in neighborhoods can act as a deterrent, according to Weitzel, based on requests he received from residents during his leadership tenure.

Opponents of traffic stops advocate for automated enforcement and reduced police interaction in traffic regulation, citing concerns over misuse and potential profiling. In Illinois and several other states, proposals suggest limiting or removing police authority to conduct traffic stops altogether, sparking ongoing discussions on the role and scope of police traffic enforcement.

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