The RISE coalition is a network of advocates, organizations, and community members who fight for local systemic changes in policing in Houston. We are petitioning Houston City Council Members to pass an ordinance that would decrease the likelihood of non-safety traffic stops that waste public resources, do not make our roads safer, and too often end in violence or even death.

Non-safety traffic stops include non-violent vehicle violations such as a busted tail light, dark tinted windows, expired registration, and amongst other violations, are the lowest offenses an individual can be cited for. These stops are not tied to improving traffic safety or reducing the probability of crime. Instead, they are associated with racial profiling, systematic violence, and the collection of fines and fees from people who cannot afford them. This is a burden that is most felt by Black and brown drivers, and low-income community members who are simply commuting to work, picking up their children, or trying to get around a large city.

By removing the burden of conducting non-safety traffic stops from police officers, we can reduce needless and harmful interactions between law enforcement and Houstonians, and make our roads safer for both the driver and the officer. We can do this by petitioning our elected officials to pass an ordinance that ends the patrol for non-safety traffic stops.

Read Our Full Sign On Letter Here.