Extensive Report Shows Perils of 'Driving While Black' in Nashville

Driving while black "constitutes a unique series of risks, vulnerabilities and dangers at the hands of the Metro Nashville Police Department" according to an extensive report to be released Tuesday by grassroots activists in Nashville.

The report, which is more than 200 pages long and based on expansive public records requests and interviews with black drivers, would appear to provide statistical backing for the anecdotal evidence offered by black Nashvillians for years, showing that they are disproportionately targeted for stops and searches that often reveal no criminal activity.

The report is the result of a project by Gideon's Army, working along with other local activist and community organizations. They will unveil the full report at an 11 a.m. press conference at the Metro Courthouse.

Based on their review of MNPD records, the group's report claims, among other things, that:

• Between 2011 and 2015, MNPD conducted 7.7 times more traffic stops annually than the U.S. national average.
• Between 2011 and 2015, MNPD made more stops of black people than there were black people 16 years and older living in Davidson County.
• MNPD consent searches are invasive and fail to yield incriminating evidence 88.4 percent of the time.
• Evidence of unlawful activity is found during searches of white drivers more often than in searches of black and Hispanic drivers. 

In the past, such as when

that Nashville police arrest African Americans at nearly three times the rate of other Nashvillians, Metro police officials have said that officers simply go "where the crime is occurring." However, the Gideon's Army report claims to have found that black drivers are stopped more often than others regardless of where in town they are driving.  

Pith has reached out to MNPD officials for comment and will update when we hear back.

Update: (10:45 a.m.):

MNPD spokesman Don Aaron sends this statement:

As you know, the MNPD has been collecting and analyzing traffic stop data for a number of years. Here is a link to the detailed annual reports on this analysis since 2008, with maps included.

Nashville police officers are deployed at a higher degree to where the victims of crime are, in other words, to areas where there is a higher prevalence of crime and higher requests for police services.  You have likely seen the crime density maps and statistical information provided to members of the Metro Council at last Tuesday’s discussion of gun violence.  I am attaching that report in the event you do not have it.  As you compare the density maps, you see a correlation in the geographical areas of crime and vehicle stops. Officers of the MNPD are encouraged to be proactive and visible, and to make lawful vehicle stops when warranted.  It is true that, on average, 80% or so of vehicle stops result in warnings only.  In Nashville, vehicle stops are not about tickets, but to enhance safety through warnings AND to better protect the community.  There are more officers, including Flex Units, deployed in higher crime areas at the discretion of precinct commanders. You have likely heard the phrase, “looking beyond the stop.”  MNPD officers do that, and have discovered firearms, other evidence of crimes, and wanted felons during vehicle stops.  The MNPD believes vehicle stops are an effective tool in the continuing effort to enhance Nashville’s safety for all citizens, certainly including those who live in disadvantaged neighborhoods. The MNPD is committed to working with the neighborhoods to enhance safety and improve quality of life.  Each of our 8 precincts has a Community Coordinating Sergeant.  These people attend literally hundreds of meetings in communities each year.

You can

the report Aaron references, the one provided to Metro Council members last week.