Springfield police say state figures showing that minorities are disproportionately pulled over in the city don’t tell the whole story.
The data compiled by the Illinois Department of Transportation shows Black drivers are five times as likely as whites to be pulled over in the city, even though they’re less likely to get a ticket or be found with contraband.
In a statement, Springfield police say the numbers don’t account for the fact that officers patrol more frequently in high crime areas… or for individuals who are known offenders and are therefore stopped more frequently. The department says it is committed to fair and impartial policing.
