Racial Disparities in COVID-19 Enforcement Revealed in New Study

Strategic Insights -

Research published in Social Problems has investigated the role of race/ethnicity in predicting the enforcement of COVID-19 precautions in New York City. The study analyzed 311 police service calls related to social distancing violations, finding that Black and Hispanic communities are less likely to report such violations and more likely to experience law enforcement intervention. These disparities persist even when controlling for local COVID-19 rates, police behavior, community social networks, and demographic characteristics.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that Black communities reported fewer social distancing violations, while Hispanic communities reported more.
  • Law enforcement was more likely to intervene in COVID-19 violations in Black and Hispanic communities than in White communities.
  • The racial/ethnic disparities in law enforcement response and intervention exist independently of local COVID-19 rates.
  • The study used negative binomial models to estimate spatial effects and control for various demographic characteristics.
  • The researchers found that community features, such as social networks and demographic characteristics, influence the likelihood of law enforcement intervention.
  • The study highlights the importance of considering the role of race/ethnicity in predicting the enforcement of COVID-19 precautions.
  • Joseph Gibbons and his colleagues at San Diego State University conducted the research, examining police service calls in New York City during the early stages of the pandemic.

Statistics:

  • 311 police service calls related to social distancing violations were analyzed in the study.
  • The likelihood of law enforcement intervening in COVID-19 violations was 1.5 times higher in Black communities and 1.2 times higher in Hispanic communities compared to White communities.
  • The study found that Black communities reported 23.4% fewer social distancing violations than White communities.
  • Hispanic communities reported 12.5% more social distancing violations than White communities.

Sources:

  • Policing a Pandemic In New York City: How Do Community Features Matter In the Location of Social Distancing Violations? by Joseph Gibbons et al., Social Problems, 2021.
  • Oxford Univ Press Inc, Journals Dept, 2001 Evans Rd, Cary, NC 27513, USA.
  • San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, United States.