Report Lists Top Reasons Why Fairfield Police Pull Motorists Over

A recent report by the Connecticut Racial Profiling Prohibition Project found that the Fairfield Police Department conducted 4,480 traffic stops from Oct. 1, 2013 through Sept. 30, 2014.

The data collected tells many interesting stories. First, if you are using a cell phone while driving, chances are good that you will be pulled over.

According to the report, Fairfield has the second-highest percentage of drivers pulled over for a cell phone violation in the state — only Danbury was higher.

The reason why a Fairfield officer is likely to pull you over includes: 21.5 percent for speed-related, 22.2 percent for cell phone use (Danbury is at 39.9 percent), 5.2 percent for defective lights, 2 percent display of plates, 6.2 percent for a moving violation, 8.1 percent for registration, 6.8 percent for seatbelt, 3.1 percent stop signs, 1.9 suspended license, and 9.1 percent for a traffic control signal.

In those stops, a motorist received an infraction 36 percent of the time and 53 percent received a verbal warning. About 6 percent of the stops resulted in a misdemeanor summons and 1.65 percent in a written warning.

There were 101 searches during the 4,480 traffic stops conducted by Fairfield police during the report time, or a 2.15 percent search rate. This put Fairfield in the middle of the pack for search rate among departments throughout the state.

Fairfield was also in the middle of the pack for highest arrest rates during a motor vehicle stop at 0.69 percent. The state average is less than 1 percent and New London tops the chart at 7.3 percent of its stops resulting in an arrest.

Of Fairfield’s total traffic stops 11.99 percent are for Black drivers and 94.97 percent of those stops involve non-residents, according to the report. Hispanics account for 12.54 percent of Fairfield’s traffic stops and 89.15 percent of those involve non-residents, the report states.

Overall, 25.36 percent of all of Fairfield’s traffic stops involve minorities, and in Fairfield there are 10 percent minority residents who live there and are of legal driving age, according to the report.

Also on Patch:

• Police Arrest Stripper for Allegedly Cashing Blank Check
• Body of Fairfield’s Max Maisel Found in New York; Family Issues Statement
• Former Stratford Resident Pursuing Insanity Defense in Murder and Shooting Trial
• Stratford Police Charge Radio Station Director with Stealing Electricity
• Foreclosed Properties for Sale in Fairfield