The Richmond City Public Safety Standing Committee meeting on February 25, 2025, focused on addressing concerns regarding racial discrimination in traffic stops. Members of the Richmond Transparency and Accountability Project (RTAP) presented testimonies highlighting systemic inequities faced by Black residents during police encounters.

Dream Boyd, a Third District resident, shared a personal experience of being handcuffed during a traffic stop, expressing the trauma and fear that such encounters instill. Boyd urged the committee to adopt policies aimed at reducing racial disparities in traffic enforcement and called for the Richmond Police Department (RPD) to provide consistent data on traffic stops.

Lauren McGarry, an attorney and RTAP member, presented data indicating that Black drivers in Richmond are nearly four times more likely to be stopped and searched compared to their white counterparts. She emphasized the emotional toll these interactions have on individuals and called for the city council to take a public stance against these practices.

Yohanse Whitaker highlighted the problematic nature of predictive policing, which relies on algorithms that disproportionately target Black and brown communities. He urged the council to ban such practices and to push for transparency in traffic stop data.

Kayla, another RTAP representative, shared her own experience of being followed and stopped by police without a valid reason, reinforcing the need for accountability and equitable treatment for all residents.

The testimonies collectively called for the city council to implement concrete policies to address these systemic issues, including the decriminalization of certain misdemeanors and a commitment to transparency in policing practices. The meeting underscored the urgent need for reform to ensure that all Richmond residents feel safe and respected in their interactions with law enforcement.