racial equity

Washtenaw County’s criminal legal system is full of racial disparities. That’s according to a report by the Washtenaw Equity Partnership. As WEMU's Josh Hakala tells us, the report also has suggestions on how to fix it.

The new state budget includes almost $50 million to implement recommendations from the Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities. We have more from Rick Pluta.

Minor traffic violations that do not impact public safety will not be enforced by the Ann Arbor Police Department. This is after a new ordinance passed unanimously at last night’s Ann Arbor City Council meeting. WEMU's Josh Hakala reports.

The public now has access to a final report on Ann Arbor traffic stop data that shows that non-whites were more likely to be stopped for minor traffic violations. As WEMU's Josh Hakala reports, it also found people of color were far more likely to be searched by police. WEMU's Josh Hakala reports.

Non-white men were more likely to be stopped for minor traffic violations and more likely to be searched by police. These are just some of the results of a draft report of three years' worth of traffic stop data from the Ann Arbor Police Department. WEMU’s Josh Hakala reports.

Today - the 19th of June - is the day now recognized nationally as "Juneteenth". It’s the day in 1865 that American slaves received word they were officially freed. But a Washtenaw County racial justice activist is urging the local community to live the spirit of Juneteenth year-round. WEMU’s Cathy Shafran has more.

Michigan’s ban against racial discrimination would extend to “traits historically associated with race” under a bill that passed the Michigan Senate Tuesday. Colin Jackson has more.

Ypsilanti-based SOS Community Services and its "Parents as Teachers" program helps parents learn how to foster healthy growth and development for their children. It's community building, one family at a time. Rhonda Weathers and Rana Smith head up the program and joined WEMU's David Fair to detail the program and its community impact.

Residents across Washtenaw County are being invited to join in on a discussion about reparations. A reparations panel discussion is slated for Saturday in Ypsilanti. WEMU’s Cathy Shafran has details.

When you call 911 with an emergency, do you ever think about how dispatchers must make split-second decisions on the legitamacy of your call? A bigger dilemma, lately, is how to respond when a person calls to say they fear a person near them but cannot describe any suspicious behavior. These are often described as "bias-influenced" calls. And they are a growing concern to the Washtenaw County Sheriff. Jerry Clayton. joined WEMU's Cathy Shafran, as he urges a "Call to Action" on bias-influenced dispatching.