Syracuse Police Chief Kenton Buckner presented data on Wednesday that showed Black drivers accounted for 79% of traffic stops in the city from April to June, but denied this was a result of racial profiling.
“I strongly push back on anyone who says our endeavors are racially motivated as to why we’re coming in contact with citizens, because it’s simply untrue,” Buckner said at a Public Safety Committee meeting, where he released the “Right to Know” statistics.
The recent data shows that from April to June, Black drivers made up 79% of traffic stops. Considering the city’s population is about 30% Black, some city councilors questioned the department’s methods.
During his presentation on the data, Buckner said the discrepancy existed because more crime happens in mostly brown and Black communities.
“Why is someone who lives in a high-crime area more susceptible to being stopped,” a councilman asked.
“I can tell you because of homicides rates, rape, aggravated assault, I’m throwing everything I have at that section of the city,” Buckner said.
Buckner presented information about Problem-Oriented-Policing Areas, or POP Areas. From selected data, Buckner says much of the city’s overall crime happens in these areas.
He also presented data from the report that says the average percentage of Black people in these POP areas is just more than 55%.
“But you’re more likely to be a non-involved person in these areas to be stopped, but that does not, in my opinion, imply you were profiled…It just means the area is more saturated with crime, so you’re more likely to come in contact with police,” Buckner said.
But he says more information is needed, adding, he “wasn’t surprised there were glitches, gaps,” considering it’s the first report.
Officials at the meeting also covered low-staffing issues and police officers in schools.
