SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – OVERNIGHT: 

RECKLESS – OVERNIGHT – FROM DAILY MAIL:   Philadelphia became the first major city to ban police traffic stops of low-level motor vehicle offenses, a tactic which critics claim disproportionately affects black people.  The Philadelphia City Council passed two Driving Equity bills on Thursday that Mayor James Kenney is is expected to sign into law this week.   The law creates an open searchable database recording traffic stops and prohibits police officers from stopping drivers for minor offenses by reclassifying several offenses as secondary violations.  Secondary violations citations are issued to drivers by mail, eliminating the need for a low-level traffic stop, which is a tactic commonly used as a pretext to stop and search drivers. 'The way black men are often searched, specifically here in the City of Philadelphia, when pulled over by law enforcement, puts you in a position where you're very, very uncomfortable often,' said Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, who drafted the Driving Equality bills.  How many reckless drivers will get away with it because of these new laws?  The fear of being stopped probably leads to more people driving safely, and within the speed limit, than any other factor.  And I wonder how many minority citizens will agree with still one more law that seems to favor the criminal.

October 16, 2021