William Harris Interview

What will it take to reduce the number of police traffic stops that devolve into a use of force, sometimes with deadly consequences? Is there a way to overcome concerns of how race and other biases affect who gets pull over by law enforcement officers? Is there a better way to serve the public's needs for enforcement of traffic laws? In this episode of "Speaking of Arkansas," Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette editorial editor Greg Harton visits with Dr. Jordan Blair Woods, a law professor and criminologist at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. Dr. Woods proposes creating local and state agencies focused solely on enforcement of traffic by unarmed "traffic monitors," eliminating the traffic stop as either a tool or an excuse for larger investigatory purposes. Doing so, he says, would at least reduce traffic stops of over-policed populations, such as racial minorities and poorer people. If you'd like to read his full 70-plus page research article, titled "Traffic Without the Police," visit http://ssrn.com/author=946203. Woods' full bio on the University of Arkansas School of Law faculty site can be found at https://law.uark.edu/directory/directory-faculty/uid/jbwoods/name/Jordan+Blair+Woods/ Questions or show suggestions for "Speaking of Arkansas" can be directed to Greg Harton at [email protected]. Follow "Speaking of Arkansas" on Twitter @SpeakingofArka1