NCDA Changes Policy That Mainly Targeted Black, Latino People

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — An investigation by news outlets has led to the Nassau County District Attorney's office changing a policy that was disproportionatly leading to the arrest of Black and Latino residents for minor infractions, which are handled with tickets in other parts of the state.

Gothamist and WHSU looked at court data from the county over the last year and found that Nassau police were arresting people who had improper temporary license plates on their cars, charging them with "criminal possession of a forged instrument." According to Gothamist, police arrested 739 people for the charge, 80 percent of whom were Black or Latino.

The issue stems from temporary license plates, which predominately came from dealers. Victims said they purchased cars and were given temporary plates, not realizing the plates were inaccurate or, in some cases, forged.

The Nassau County DA issued an internal memo after the Gothamist investigation that changes its policy. It will now only arrest people with the improper plates if there is additional reason to do so. Simply having the improper plates will result in a ticket.

You can read more about it at Gothamist.