SMPD Discusses Effect Of Traffic Stops On Community Safety

SANTA MONICA, CA — Santa Monica Police discussed the effect traffic stops within the city have on the overall safety of the community and acknowledged the role stops play in potential racial discrimination at last week's Public Safety and Reform Oversight Commission meeting.

The conversation stems from Senate Bill 50, which would prohibit a peace officer from stopping or detaining a driver for a low-level infraction unless a separate, independent basis for the stop exists. In Santa Monica, the law would not prohibit police from making traffic stops for catalytic converter thefts or driving under the influence.

According to SMPD Lieutenant Erika Aklufi, the city's police don't believe that limiting traffic stops would make Santa Monica safer. In fact, Aklufi said traffic stops have led to the discovery of evidence for larger infractions on more than one occasion.

Aklufi said SMPD's focus is on building relationships with the community rather than creating divisions.

There are social and societal impacts of a traffic stop that show disparities in burden on certain groups of people. These impacts could lead to negative community outcomes and a lack of trust in law enforcement, SMPD said.

"We want to make sure when you get pulled over in Santa Monica that you are treated with respect," Aklufi said.

According to other law enforcement agencies, one reason traffic stops could be beneficial is that officers spending time enforcing low-level violations takes them away from enforcing and investigating more serious crimes.

The Los Angeles Police Department, in comparison, restricts pretext stops unless officers are acting upon articulable information in addition to the traffic violation. LAPD officers are limited in making traffic stops in instances that are believed to significantly interfere with public safety.

In April, the Santa Monica Police Officers' Association sent an email to city officials in opposition to the elimination of pretext vehicle stops. The association argued that enforcing low-level infractions allowed officers to remove dangerous drugs and weapons from city streets.

"We believe this is further anti-police rhetoric and we do not want to add legitimacy to a topic that is fundamentally flawed and undermines the rule of law," Vice-Chair Kristina Cohran said.

Aklufi said the department also acknowledged the benefits of traffic stops in Santa Monica because they could lead to evidence for larger infractions.

Traffic stops and pedestrian stops are tools the Supreme Court has approved for police departments. Santa Monica police currently conduct traffic stops in accordance with the Supreme Court rules, authorities said, and will continue to do so.

Due to a reporting error, this article previously stated that the Santa Monica Police Department was considering limiting traffic stops in the city. SMPD officials clarified the department believes traffic stops help keep the city safer.