"If there's no traffic around, the officers should not be making the stop," Scott said before the Police Commission, explaining a jaywalking law that has been in effect since 2023. He added that "state law is very specific as to when jaywalking is a citable offense: if it is likely to cause a collision." This emphasizes the need for clear traffic context before police interventions for jaywalking.
As of January 2023, the Freedom to Walk bill became California law, allowing police officers to stop jaywalkers only when there is an "immediate hazard." This law was introduced to address the disproportionate frequency of Black individuals being stopped for jaywalking compared to whites.
The likelihood of a collision, Scott said, is what an investigation by the Department of Police Accountability would eventually determine. "What happened after the stop" would be another element to consider, highlighting the complexities involved in assessing the appropriateness of the officer's actions.
The circumstances surrounding Porter’s case, especially her lack of immediate danger while jaywalking, raise critical questions about policing practices and the proper use of discretion in law enforcement.
#jaywalking-law #police-accountability #racial-disparities #california-legislation #freedom-to-walk-bill
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