The race-based data pertains to street checks, known as carding in Toronto, conducted in the two cities between 2009 and 2014.
Blacks accounted for 21 per cent of street checks conducted in Brampton and Mississauga. According to census data from 2011, 9 per cent of Brampton’s and Mississauga’s total population was black. Whites made up 41 per cent of the population and accounted for 28 per cent of the street checks.
Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie says she will now call for the suspension of street checks by Peel police, after learning of the race data from the Star. Crombie, who sits on the Peel Police Services Board, in June pushed for a full review of the force’s street-check practices.
“During the next meeting of the Peel Police Services Board, which will take place Friday Sept. 25, I will call for a suspension of street checks to best ensure we have a thorough review and analysis of the practice, and have a better understanding of its scope and scale,” Crombie told the Star Wednesday.
“With the release of this new data, along with the feedback I heard from (residents) at a recent public consultation, I believe there are serious issues that need to be addressed.”
Crombie said she understands the need for police to have crime-fighting tools, but said citizens cannot have their rights infringed upon.
“I want to reiterate how important it is that we provide our front-line police officers with the tools they need to do their jobs, but at the same time we must protect the rights and freedoms of all residents.”