MEMPHIS, Tenn — A local ordinance ending pretextual traffic stops is at risk of being undermined in the state capitol.
The end to pretextual traffic stops was a victory for many in Memphis. Memphis Police can no longer use broken taillights or expired tags as the main reason for pulling someone over.
The ordinance came months after former MPD officers beat Tyre Nichols during a traffic stop. Nichols died in the hospital three days later.
Senator Brent Taylor’s Senate Bill 2572 would prevent local government, like city council, from making decisions impacting how law enforcement agencies operate.
Councilwoman Yolanda Cooper-Sutton was recently elected to the Memphis City Council. She hopes to make positive changes for the Bluff City, but Taylor’s senate bill may stand in the way.
If passed, the bill would not allow city council to pass ordinances dealing with law enforcement policies. The bill would overturn the ordinance that put an end to pretextual traffic stops following the death of Tyre Nichols.
It’s an issue Memphians have protested about for months, many saying it comes down to an issue of race.
“I don’t like to play the race card or be racial but to be truthful about what is happening in the Black communities,” Cooper-Sutton said. “We’ve seen death after death after death.”
Taylor said it’s not about race.
“If they don’t violate the law, there’s no profiling,” Taylor said. “People aren’t profiling and pulling over motorists and then finding a violation.”
Still, there still isn’t a data transparency tool available to make it clear who pretextual traffic stops impact the most in the 901. Those outside of the political stage say bringing back pretextual traffic stops simply isn’t the answer to crime.
“I wish more people would really press the envelope on Brent Taylor and those akin to him and align with him,” Pastor Earle Fisher said. “If their sincere commitment is to offset the crime and violence, [then] pass a gun reform bill.”
Communication between local and state leaders may be the only way forward.
“There is a breakdown in communication,” Cooper-Sutton said. “We have been put in these positions to represent for the betterment of our constituents of the state and the city.”
Councilwoman Cooper-Sutton said she looks forward to taking the initiative and meeting with senator Taylor to talk about a solution. She and other councilmembers understand state lawmakers can draft bills to overrule local ordinances.
She said she just hopes an open line of communication will prevent the need for bills to oppose city council ordinances in the future.