Objectives

To assess whether data on traffic stop outcomes causally impacts public approval of discretionary traffic stops as a crime control strategy.

Methods

We distributed an original online survey experiment randomly assigning respondents (N = 4740) into either the (1) contraband condition, (2) disparity condition, or (3) the control condition.

Results

In comparison to the control condition, the contraband condition significantly increased respondent support of discretionary traffic stops as a crime-fighting tool. Black respondents assigned the contraband treatment were significantly more likely to support the use of discretionary traffic stops compared to Black respondents assigned the control condition.

Conclusions

Although scrutiny exists regarding the efficacy of discretionary traffic stops, public opinion may be shifted if they are provided with information on the outcomes of such stops. Police agencies should consider coupling evidence-based strategies with data on the outcomes of crime control strategies, which may also address community desire for more transparency. Minority civilians may support crime control strategies if presented with data on such strategies’ effectiveness.

中文翻译：

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公众希望警察停下来吗？实验研究结果数据对公众对警察酌情交通拦截的看法的影响

 目标

评估交通截停结果数据是否会影响公众对酌情交通截停作为犯罪控制策略的认可。

 方法

我们进行了一项原始在线调查实验，将受访者 (N = 4740) 随机分配到 (1) 违禁品条件、(2) 差异条件或 (3) 控制条件。

 结果

与控制条件相比，违禁品条件显着增加了受访者对酌情交通拦截作为打击犯罪工具的支持。与分配控制条件的黑人受访者相比，分配违禁品处理的黑人受访者更有可能支持使用酌情交通站点。

 结论

尽管对任意交通停车的有效性存在审查，但如果向公众提供有关此类停车结果的信息，公众舆论可能会发生转变。警察机构应考虑将基于证据的策略与犯罪控制策略结果的数据结合起来，这也可能满足社区对更高透明度的渴望。如果向少数族裔平民提供有关此类策略有效性的数据，他们可能会支持犯罪控制策略。