A recent analysis reveals that Bratenahl’s practice of issuing a disproportionately high number of tickets to Black drivers has persisted following a 2022 investigation by The Marshall Project – Cleveland and WEWS News 5. Data from February 2023 to the end of the year shows that 69% of all traffic stops resulted in citations for Black drivers. This follows an earlier estimate that Black drivers received 60% or more of all citations in Bratenahl between 2020 and 2022. Village leaders express concern over these findings and are implementing measures to address bias in policing and analyze the root causes of the ticketing disparities.
Bratenahl Police Chief Charles LoBello acknowledges the need to collect race data during traffic stops, a practice that was initiated in response to the investigations conducted by The Marshall Project – Cleveland and News 5. The high frequency of traffic stops involving Black drivers has led some to avoid driving through Bratenahl to evade potential fines and court costs. Mayor Keith Benjamin plans to mandate additional bias-free policing training for all officers and explore ways to analyze data effectively to address the issue of disproportionate ticketing.
The village is committed to ensuring constitutional policing, and efforts are being made to engage with the community, seek solutions, and dispel rumors about biased policing practices. Councilman Kevin Conwell emphasizes the importance of ending discriminatory practices targeting Black residents. Rep. Juanita Brent is working on a proposal to require police agencies to record race data during traffic stops to promote transparency and accountability.
The goal is to improve community relations and address negative perceptions of the police force in Bratenahl. Efforts are being made to understand and address the reasons behind the disproportionate ticketing of Black drivers. The village is committed to creating a fair and just system that serves all residents equitably.