Benicia Police Department officers were 5.7 times more likely to stop Black people than white people based on stops per 10,000 residents. Officers stopped people 4,283 times in 2023.
Passed in 2015, the Racial and Identity Profiling Act (RIPA) required California police agencies to submit detailed data on every stop their officers made to the California Department of Justice. The law was intended to end identity-based profiling. It also created the RIPA board, which releases an annual report analyzing the data law enforcement agencies submit.
RIPA requires law enforcement officers to document information on every person they stop, including the individual’s race, gender and other identity attributes. Because the data is based on officers’ perceptions, this demographic data may not reflect how a person actually identifies. The data includes all stops officers make, such as traffic stops (the majority) and pedestrian stops.
The Benicia Police Department has reported this detailed data to the state since 2022. The data below reveals significant disparities in stop rates and, crucially, in whether the stops lead to an enforcement action like an arrest. These differences have fueled a growing debate over whether to end a police practice known as pretextual stops, in which officers use relatively minor infractions — often traffic violations — to probe for guns, drugs and other larger crimes.
Racial disparities in traffic stops are likely the result of many factors, including differences across groups in driving frequency and behavior, the level of police presence in that group’s community, and racial profiling. The degree to which racial profiling causes disparities in stops is disputed, though most research suggests bias plays some role. In a 2019 Pew Research Center survey, 44% of Black adults said they believed they had been unfairly stopped by police because of their race.
And so it came to this. Nine years after escorting his Pre-Nup Lottery winner down that escalator and into our collective gag reflexes, and just months separated from having a glorious evening of his standard lie-spewing overshadowed by Father Time taking out his first opponent in a TKO, Donald Trump finally met his match.
Or his mismatch, as it were.
That wasn’t a debate in Philadelphia Tuesday night. It was a Comeuppance for the Ages, nearly a decade in the making. A roasted pig if you will, more delicious than any household pet could ever be.
Vice President Kamala Harris at the Philadelphia debate with Donald Trump, Sept 10, 2024
Kamala Harris, just months ago another meandering vice president on a long, undistinguished list of them, did a greater service to her country than she could possibly do in that Oval Office she took a giant step toward occupying.
Welcome to the New World Order. If you ever wanted rock-solid proof this country needs a female president — this female president — this was it.
Remember Harris the ineffective campaigner and anonymous vice president? That is so late June Joe Biden. Forget her. She no longer exists.
This Harris, soaring on the wings of momentum, rolling in fresh campaign cash and basking in surging poll numbers, did what so many before her — both Republican and Democrat — had failed to do. She took the bully out behind the woodshed and kicked his ass.
This long overdue, national TV takedown/exposure of Trump was beautiful in its ruthless simplicity. Hit him where he hurts. Not on his plans for the country. He has none, and he quite frankly doesn’t care. Hit him where his malignant narcissism and toxic, fragile ego live.
Start with, say, crowd sizes. Only a shallow, undisciplined fool whose next policy idea will be his first one would bother with the bait, and ladies and gentlemen, this is that fool. Then, smile, chuckle, and stay out of the way while the clown melts down into an orange pool of drivel and felonies.
You know those 63-7 football blowouts where the incredulous announcer says “Bob, this was actually worse than the final score indicates”?
This was that. But worse than the sports cliche indicates.
Worse yet for Trump were the rules. No props of any kind were allowed on stage, meaning he couldn’t drive home his point of Super-Duper MAGA Patriotism without an American Flag to, well, hump. No fans in Flyover Country proclaiming, “Honey, get over here. You say he don’t love our country because he belittles our military, but just look at him make sweet love to that flag!”
As the rout rolled on, Trump became utterly undone, undressed of any pretense of being a man capable of looking out for anything or anyone other than himself. Gone too was the pretense of Trump being a serious candidate worthy of serious consideration outside of that cult he oversees.
This had nothing to do with Republican or Democrat. It never does with Trump.
This is about a befuddled fool not just losing a debate, but losing his way. This was a man who didn’t just deserve to lose, but a man who had to lose.
Perhaps now, finally, we can rid ourselves of this insistence on trying to normalize a man who is so clearly the least intelligent man — and the worst human being — to ever run for the presidency.
Sorry, but when you are sordid enough to keep a straight face while name dropping Viktor Orbán as a character reference, you have got to go. And if you are attempting to actually make a serious case for this soulless sap, you need to check yourself.
Almost mercifully, it finally ended, but not before Trump came up with one last preposterous claim, noting that he was, in fact, “a leader” on the issue of fertility. Nonsense. Everyone knows that’s Nick Cannon.
From there, it was “off to the spin room!” … said no debate winner in political history.
It was in a spin room in Pennsylvania that Trump found his state of denial. Giddy with the pretend spoils of his make-believe victory, Trump rattled off the fictional evidence: “We won in all the polls: 90-10, 81-11 73-9 …” he said, taking a break from his new hobby of memorizing random statistics and fake numbers to make a mental note to put together plans for when the World Series Champion Chicago White Sox and Super Bowl champion Carolina Panthers visit the White House in February.
OK, so maybe he didn’t win. Undaunted, with his MAGA rattle and binky in tow, Trump quickly pivoted to the Battle Cry of the Loser: They cheated me!
The problem, claimed Trump and his handlers at Fox, was those darn ABC moderators and their facts! “It was 3-on-1” they whined, in unison.
Nonsense. This was weak, even for a small, little man like Trump who still can’t fully admit he lost four years ago. For you MAGA folks at home unfamiliar with the concept, this was called journalism. You want to simply throw crap against the wall and make stuff up? You will get checked. It’s called fact-checking. Or in this case, lie-checking.
And no, you don’t fact-check Harris on her flip-flop on fracking. That issue is addressed in the question, which she answered. The fact that she didn’t answer it well doesn’t make it the same as her opponent simply making stuff up — like murdered babies and rigged elections — again.
Did Harris answer every question? Of course she didn’t. I’m sorry, was this your first debate?
And did Trump talk longer than Harris — 5 minutes or so? Of course. See above.
This wasn’t about bias — not even close. It was the chickens coming home to roost for a decade of thousands upon thousands of ridiculous lies Donald Trump has skated on far too often. And it was beautiful. Not for any of those tired, old Democrat vs. Republican stuff, either.
For the truth.
They’re going to check on the truth? This, the evening’s big loser thought, won’t stand. Why, it could even catch on. Donald Trump shares no stage with the truth. Not now, not ever.
This — and that fragile ego — is the reason Captain Bone Spurs is ducking a rematch like it’s Vietnam.
Still …
Trump may be down. He may be missing Joe Biden more than he previously thought possible. He may have no concept of a plan to deal with this woman who is so clearly smarter, sharper, and younger than him.
But he is hardly out. Not as long as there are the archaic Electoral College and the confused, common sense-challenged, attention-starved species known as the undecided voter out there.
Plus, Trump had to be thinking, things could hardly get worse …
Hold my microphone, said one Taylor Swift.
And there it is. Now it’s a Miss-Match.
— Jack F.K. Bungart is the Executive Editor of the Vallejo Times-Herald and the Vacaville Reporter.
Dems endorse Kashanna Harmon-Lee for Benicia School Board, Benicia Tax Measures
The Progressive Democrats of Benicia (PDB) are proud to announce their endorsements for the upcoming Benicia School Board – Area 3 and Solano Community College Board – Area 3 elections, as well as their positions on local ballot measures.
Candidate Endorsements
After interviewing Democratic candidates for Benicia School Board – Area 3 (which is generally between 780, Rose Drive and west of Grove Circle, including Robert Semple Elementary School) and Solano Community College Board Area – 3 (which includes Benicia as well as parts of Vallejo, and Suisun City), the PDB membership has voted to endorse:
Kashanna Harmon-Lee for Benicia School Board – Area 3
Shannon Frisinger for Solano Community College Board – Area 3
Congratulations to these candidates, whose impressive qualifications, leadership experience, and commitment to student success clearly resonated with voting members who share their vision for fostering safe, supportive schools and educational spaces.
Kashanna Harmon-Lee, Candidate for Benicia School Board Area 3 Trustee. | Nancy Rothstein for Kashanna Harmon-Lee for Benicia School Board 2024.
Ballot Measure Endorsements
After the candidate interviews, Mayor Steve Young and City Manager Mario Giuliani answered questions about local ballot measures and their potential impacts on the City of Benicia, including Measures G and H. Maggie Kolk from the Benicia Save Our Streets Committee presented information about Measure F.
The club also learned about Proposition 5 (CA), which would allow local bonds for affordable housing and public infrastructure with 55% voter approval.
After the presentations, PDB membership has voted to endorse:
YES on Measure F: A citizen’s initiative proposing a 1/2 cent sales tax for street repairs and maintenance.
YES on Measure G: A proposal to adopt a City Charter, allowing voters to consider enacting a real property transfer tax.
YES on Measure H: A sliding real property transfer tax to invest in essential city services.
YES on Proposition 5: Allow local bonds for affordable housing and public infrastructure with 55% voter approval.
Thank You…and Don’t Forget to Vote!
The Progressive Democrats of Benicia thank the candidates and officials for their time. We encourage all residents to stay informed, get involved in local politics, and exercise their right to vote in the upcoming elections. Don’t forget to check your voter registration at voterstatus.sos.ca.gov.
More about PDB
Learn more about the Progressive Democrats of Benicia at progressivedemocratsofbenicia.org. Dues are $30/year and you must be a registered Democrat to join as a full member. (Non-Democrats and non-Benicians are always welcome to attend public meetings.)
Christina Gilpin-Hayes, endorsed candidate for Benicia City Council. | Photo supplied by campaign.
By Vice Mayor Terry Scott, September 10, 2024
Benicia Vice Mayor Terry Scott.
I am very pleased to endorse Christina Gilpin-Hayes for Benicia City Council.
Christina has the skills to be a dedicated, tough, articulate, and highly committed new voice on our City Council.
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting with Christina several times. During these in-depth conversations, she has expressed her overall vision and long-term goals for Benicia.
I believe Christina possesses:
Character: The ability to take the moral and right path, even when it is strewn with hazards and obstacles. Christina has great personal strength and strong moral character, enabling her to make the right decisions on many of the complex issues we face as a city and as City Council members.
Conviction: The determination to continue the fight to meet objectives despite the odds, by taking a path that may be unpopular but is in the best interest of the entire community. Christina is a person of strong conviction, an advocate for diversity, and will dedicate herself to the common good.
Leadership: The capability to provide a new perspective to problem-solving and lead the council and community through consensus-building and educating the community as we create new opportunities.
Financial Understanding: The city has taken significant steps forward to solve the financial cliff we face. Christina has the experience and training in financial management and exhibits a strong understanding of how finances work. She recognizes that we must work towards a balanced budget while ensuring the quality of life in our community is maintained.
Clearly, Christina, in her business and personal life, has exhibited leadership skills that will add to the depth and understanding of how the Council will manage Benicia’s future.
I have seen how Christina understands how government works, recognizes the roadblocks that need to be overcome, and embraces opportunities, facing the future with excitement and passion.
I appreciate her ability to read the handwriting on the wall and:
Interpret it differently,
Think differently,
Act with resolve,
And look after the best interests of all Benicians.
That is why I strongly support and enthusiastically endorse Christina for City Council.
Together, let’s support a leader who will bring fresh, new perspectives and unwavering dedication to our community.
Vote for Christina and continue to build a brighter future for Benicia!
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