SPPD Assessing Arrest and Traffic Stop Patterns Study 2022

December 2022
Assessing Arrest & Traffic Stop

Patterns in South Portland, ME
AN ANALYSIS OF SOUTH PORTLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT DATA
Acknowledgments
Authors
Jack McDevitt, PhD, Northeastern University
George Shaler, MPH, University of Southern Maine
Sarah Goan, MPP, University of Southern Maine
Stephen Abeyta, PhD Candidate, Northeastern University
Carlos Cuevas, PhD, Northeastern University
Layout and Design
Becky Wurwarg, University of Southern Maine
Special Thanks
The project team would like to extend our gratitude to the Portland and the South Portland
police departments for their support, funding, and collaboration on this project.
Thank you to Roux Institute for their generous support in funding this work.
Thank you to Abdulkadir Ali for your contributions to the project design, careful review of
analyses, thoughtful questions, and continued engagement throughout this project.
Thank you to our Community Advisory Group for your thoughtful questions and feedback.
We would like to thank Reverend Kenneth Lewis, Reggie Parsons, and Pedro Vazquez for
your engagement throughout the project and review of the analysis and this report.
Assessing Arrest & Traffic Stop Patterns ii

Contents
Introduction1
Background
About This Report
Summary of Key Findings
Methodology4
Methodology5
Data Extraction and Analysis
Samples and Population Estimates
Data & Analysis Limitations
Detailed Findings: South Portland Police Data Analysis 9

South Portland Police Department Arrests, 2018-2020
South Portland PD Traffic Citations, 2018-2020
Conclusion & Recommendations 28

Conclusion
Recommendations for South Portland Police Department
Recommendations for South Portland Police Department, City of South Portland,

and Strategic Partners
Appendices34
Appendix A: Population Data Tables (Adults, Juveniles, Drivers)
Appendix B: South Portland Police Department Patrol Areas (Beat Map)
Appendix C: South Portland PD Arrests Chi-Square Results Tables
Appendix D: South Portland Residents Adult Arrest Rates
Appendix E: South Portland PD Traffic Data Chi-Square Results Tables
Appendix F: South Portland PD Logistic Models for Multiple Regression Analysis
Assessing Arrest & Traffic Stop Patterns iii

Introduction
Background
With an authorized strength of 54 sworn officers and 4 full-time In 2021, Portland’s Police Chief commissioned an analysis of the
and 1 part-time civilian employees, the South Portland Police department’s data to better understand whether racial and ethnic
Department serves the fourth largest municipality in the state disparities exist in the decision to arrest individuals and to issue
of Maine. In addition to uniformed operations, the department traffic citations and, if so, the need for any internal policy changes
houses numerous units, teams and programs that respond to a to reduce these disparities. The Portland PD subsequently invited
wide range of community needs, including the following: the South Portland Police Department to take part in the analysis.
This was an unusual step as most studies of racial disparities
• Special Reaction or "Tactical" Team (SRT) and Crisis
within policing are not requested by law enforcement agencies
Negotiators Team (CNT), for the stabilization and
themselves, but rather are conducted at the behest of state
resolution of high risk calls;
or federal oversight agencies. Both departments hired the Cath-
• Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) to respond and de-escalate erine Cutler Institute at the University of Southern Maine and the
people experiencing a mental health crisis; Institute on Race and Justice at Northeastern University. The Roux
• High School Resource Officer, a community-policing Institute of Northeastern University’s Roux Institute, which has a
approach practiced in a school environment; large presence in Portland, provided additional funding to support
• Community Response Unit, to focus on neighborhood this project as part of their ongoing commitment to improve the
problems and nuisances that would otherwise be difficult for quality of life for local Maine communities.
the police department to address; and
• Community Policing programs (e.g., Hotel/Motel Liaison, About This Report
Business Employee Training, Prescription Fraud, Senior
It is important to firmly place our local inquiry against the back-
Driver Safety Program, Landlord Training, Smokeless
drop of national trends and to acknowledge the systematic factors
Saturday, and Police Reaching Youth).
which contribute to myriad disparities experienced by historically
The South Portland PD, like many departments across the country, marginalized communities nationwide, even if many of them are
faced community outrage in the aftermath of George Floyd's killing outside the scope of this targeted examination. Structural racism
in May of 2020. Following these events and the protests held in and discrimination in America are widespread and deeply rooted
Portland, the city of South Portland passed a resolution which in our criminal legal systems, public health systems, education
re-allocated funds from the Police Department’s budget to form a systems and economic opportunities. Nationwide data show that
Human Rights Commission. The city of South Portland also created BIPOC2 people in the U.S. have higher rates of poverty,3 higher
the Police Services Review Working Group (PSRWG), which rates of
released a report with recommendations to improve responses to
calls for service in South Portland.1
1 For more information about the South Portland PSRWG work visit their website here and read the full report.
2 BIPOC is used throughout this report as a category that includes individuals who are Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color.
3 Creamer, J. (September 15, 2020). Inequalities Persist Despite Decline in Poverty for All Major Race and Hispanic Origin Groups. Washington D.C.: U.S. Census Bureau, Poverty
Statistics Branch. https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2020/09/poverty-rates-for-blacks-and-hispanics-reached-historic-lows-in-2019.html
Assessing Arrest & Traffic Stop Patterns 1

INTRODUCTION
South Portland
school discipline4 and disconnection,5 higher rates of experiencing Department and makes recommendations for next steps. The
homelessness6 and housing instability,7 and health disparities.8,9 In Portland data analysis and findings can be found in a separate
Maine, racial, socioeconomic, education, and criminal justice dispar- report. Specifically, this report looks at racial, ethnic, age, gender
ities persist similar to national trends. For example, in 2020, 39.7% of and geographical factors which may be associated with South
Black or African American children in Maine lived in families whose Portland PD arrests and traffic citations among adults and juveniles
income was below the federal poverty level compared to 12.5% of between 2018 and 2020, a period inclusive of both the early part of
White children.10 Furthermore, BIPOC, particularly Black or African the pandemic and the protests.
American, individuals are overrepresented in every facet of the U.S.
criminal justice system.11 Previous research in Maine has found that The following research questions guided the analysis:
BIPOC people are overrepresented in Maine’s prisons and jails.12,13
• Are there differences in arrests and traffic citations by race,
BIPOC individuals also experience higher instances of individual
ethnicity, gender, or age?
bias, discrimination, and hate crimes14 and a recent report found
that anti-Black or African American hate or bias crimes were the • To what extent do time associated factors, crime types,
most frequently reported in Maine between 2008 and 2017.15 demographics, time of day, and location impact the
likelihood of getting arrested or receiving a traffic citation?
Within this context, this project examined the available arrest and • What does this data tell us about individual officer discretion
traffic citation data from the Portland and South Portland Police and how it may affect disparities in arrests?
Departments to determine if there is any evidence of dispropor-
tionate enforcement activities in either city. This report outlines
the findings of the analysis for the South Portland Police
4 U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights. (March 2014). Civil Rights Data Collection, Data Snapshot: School Discipline, Issue Brief No. 1. Washington, D.C. https://
ocrdata.ed.gov/assets/downloads/CRDC-School-Discipline-Snapshot.pdf
5 Lewis, K. (2021). A Decade Undone: 2021 Update. New York: Measure of America, Social Science Research Council. https://ssrc-static.s3.amazonaws.com/moa/
ADecadeUndone2021Update.pdf
6 Moses, J. (2018). Demographic Data Project, Part III: Race, Ethnicity, and Homelessness. National Alliance to End Homelessness. https://endhomelessness.org/demographic-data-
project-race/
7 Greene, S. & McCargo, A. (May 29, 2020). New Data Suggests COVID-19 is Widening Housing Disparities by Race and Income. Washington D.C.: Urban Institute. https://www.
urban.org/urban-wire/new-data-suggest-covid-19-widening-housing-disparities-race-and-income
8 Carratala, S., & Maxwell, C. (May 7, 2020). Health Disparities by Race and Ethnicity. Center for American Progress. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/health-disparities-
race-ethnicity/
9 Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (May 18, 2022). Health Disparities: Provisional Death Counts for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/
nvss/vsrr/covid19/health_disparities.htm#RaceHispanicOrigin
10 The Annie E. Casey Foundation. (2022). Kids Count Data Center, Children in poverty by race and ethnicity (5-yr ACS) in Maine. https://datacenter.kidscount.org/data/tables/9738-
children-in-poverty-by-race-and-ethnicity-5-yr-acs#detailed/2/any/false/574,1729,37,871,870,573,869/10,172,9,12,1,13,185/19003
11 Sawyer, W., & Wagner, P. (March 14, 2022). Mass Incarceration: The Whole Pie 2022. Prison Policy Initiative. https://www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/pie2022.html#community
12 Vera Institute of Justice. (2019, December). Incarceration Trends in Maine. https://www.vera.org/downloads/pdfdownloads/state-incarceration-trends-maine.pdf
13 Prison Policy Initiative. (2021). Maine profile. https://www.prisonpolicy.org/profiles/ME.html
14 U.S. Department of Justice. (2020). FBI Releases 2020 Hate Crime Statistics. https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes/hate-crime-statistics
15 Brintlinger, H., Shaler, G., & McDevitt, J. (2022). Bias and Hate Crimes in Maine: Reconciling Reported and Investigated Crimes. Maine Statistical Analysis Center. Portland, ME:
University of Southern Maine. https://cpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/wpsites.maine.edu/dist/2/115/files/2017/10/2022-Bias-and-Hate-Crimes-in-Maine-Report.pdf

INTRODUCTION
South
SouthPortland
Portland
Summary of Key Findings
This analysis did not find statistical evidence of biased-based policing by members
of the South Portland Police Department, that is, instances where an officer made
a decision or took action based on the individual’s race or ethnicity rather than the
individual’s behavior. This does not mean such incidents do not happen, but rather no
patterns emerge that demonstrate severe and persistent occurrences.
However, despite limitations in the scope of this study, this analysis does provide evidence
of some racial and ethnic disparities in arrests and traffic stops particularly among
Black or African American individuals. Further research is needed to determine to what
extent the observed disparities are the result of factors that were outside the scope of this
analysis such as specific policing practices (e.g., patrol patterns, officer-level arrest trends,
and officer attitudes), and other social circumstances (e.g., socio-economic conditions,
mental health and wellbeing, etc.).
The following key findings emerged from the analysis of the South Portland Police Depart-
ment data:
BLACK OR AFRICAN AMERICAN INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCE DISPARITIES IN ARRESTS

IN SOUTH PORTLAND. Although direct comparisons between police data and the popula-
tion are limited because they are measured differently in each data source, our study found
that Black or African American individuals accounted for 15% of all arrests among Maine
residents in South Portland, and only 3.5% of the population estimate. Among South Port-
land residents, Black or African American individuals were arrested at an average annual rate
that is nearly five times higher than White residents. Many factors which could be contrib-
uting to these disparities were outside the scope of this study and therefore more research
is recommended.
• There is no evidence that race and ethnicity were related to the decision to request
multiple charges, which prior research suggests can be an indicator of biased
decision-making.16
THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF ARRESTS OCCURRED IN THE MAINE MALL/SOUTH PORT-

LAND GARDENS/CROCKETT’S CORNER NEIGHBORHOODS (PATROL AREA 7), which
accounted for one-third (35%) of all arrests during the study period. There were notable
differences in location based on race/ethnicity. Black and Latinx individuals were more likely
to have been arrested in Patrol Area 7 compared to White individuals, whereas White indi-
viduals were more likely to have been arrested in the Ferry Village/SMCC/Knightville areas
(Patrol Area 4). The odds of an arrested individual being Black or Latinx increased 78% when
the incident occurred in Patrol Area 7.
16 Roh, S. & Robinson, M. (2009). A Geographic Approach to Racial Profiling: The Microanalysis and Macroanalysis
of Racial Disparity in Traffic Stops. Police Quarterly, 12(2), 137-169.

INTRODUCTION
South Portland
PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS REPRESENTED 10% OF ALL SOUTH PORT-
LAND PD ARRESTS. Individuals who were unhoused at the time of their arrest were more
likely to be White, men, between the ages of 40 and 59 and more likely to be arrested
multiple times throughout the study period. In fact, the odds of the individual receiving
multiple charges increased 69% when the individual was unhoused. In addition, they were
more likely to be arrested in the Thornton Heights/Cash Corner neighborhood (Patrol Area
6) which accounted for 32% of all arrests among people who were unhoused.
CRIMINAL TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS AND OUI’S REPRESENTED 42% OF ALL ARRESTS IN

SOUTH PORTLAND. There was no statistically significant difference between racial and
ethnic groups regarding these charges. White individuals, however, were more likely to be
arrested for drug violations compared to Black or Latinx individuals.
BLACK OR AFRICAN AMERICAN DRIVERS EXPERIENCE DISPARITIES IN TRAFFIC CITA-

TIONS OVERALL. While Black or African American drivers represented only 3.6% of the
driving aged population, they accounted for 7.6% of all traffic citations among Maine resi-
dents.
• Black or African American individuals were stopped more frequently during the
nighttime (16%) than during the daylight hours (6%). This finding contradicts the
“Veil of Darkness” theory,17, 18 which suggests Black or African American drivers would
be more likely stopped during the day in cases of racial profiling or discrimination.
THE MOST COMMON LOCATION FOR TRAFFIC CITATIONS WERE THE FERRY VILLAGE/
SMCC/KNIGHTVILLE NEIGHBORHOODS (35% OF TOTAL). However, Black or African
American drivers were more likely to receive a traffic citation in the Maine Mall/South Port-
land Gardens/Crockett’s Corner neighborhoods (Patrol Area 7) compared to White drivers
(41% vs. 24%). The odds of the driver being Black or African American increased by 160%
when the stop occurred in this area (Patrol Area 7).
Methodology
17 Grogger, J., & Ridgeway, G. (2006). Testing for racial profiling in traffic stops from behind a veil of darkness.
Journal of the American Statistical Association, 101(475), 878-887
18 Pierson, E., Simoiu, C., Overgoor, J. et al. A large-scale analysis of racial disparities in police stops across the
United States. Nat Hum Behav 4, 736–745 (2020).

Methodology
Data Extraction and Analysis
In order to answer the research questions, the research teams from University of Southern
Maine’s (USM) and Catherine Cutler Institute and the Institute on Race and Justice at
Northeastern University worked with the Portland and South Portland police departments
to develop appropriate data extracts. It is important to note that the Portland and South
Portland Police Departments provided all the data for these analyses. The staff within each
department designed and used queries to pull the data from their respective management
information systems. The data files were sent to the USM team using secure data transfer
protocols. All data files were cleaned and de-identified prior to analysis to secure confiden-
tiality.
The arrest data included records for all adults and juveniles arrested over a three-year
period (2018-2020). As the data files were pulled in multiple extracts, the research team first
matched the files using a combination of arrest/incident ID numbers, individual names, and
dates of birth. The research team then cleaned the data files to remove test records or to
standardize fields and terminology that were inconsistently recorded (e.g., some individuals
who were unhoused listed the shelter address, while others were marked as transient). In
some cases, the research team also created new variables and categories from various fields
to aid the final analysis (see definitions on the next page). Location data was also cleaned
and recoded to assign regional groups and geo-tagged for mapping purposes.
The traffic stop data included records of citations from the same period (2018-2020) for
both cities, and warnings from Portland only. Data on warnings was not available for South
Portland for the period studied. These files were similarly cleaned and combined using
record ID numbers. Duplicate and test/error records were removed, and fields were recoded
to standardize terminology like the arrest data. Traffic citations were also coded into groups
to categorize the types of citations.
The research teams used statistical software to conduct analysis (descriptive statistics and
multivariate analyses). A chi-square goodness of fit test was used to compare the popu-
lation characteristics to that of the various samples. Tests of column proportions and/or
chi-square tests were used to compare groups within the samples as noted throughout the
report. In both cases, a statistically significant result indicates that the observed differences
are greater than we might expect by chance alone. In addition, to further test the association
of variables the research team conducted multiple logistic regression models. The results of
these models identify where statistical disparities may exist which may or may not indicate
incidents of bias.

METHODOLOGY
South Portland
Definitions & Coding
Race The Portland-South Portland Metro Area

Includes a recoded version of the original race data from the data U.S. Census Metro designation which includes towns and cities
extract. In most cases, the data extract did not allow for multiple surrounding the two cities (Durham, Baldwin, Cape Elizabeth,
race selections and therefore the multiracial data is unavailable in Casco, Chebeague Island, Cumberland, Falmouth, Freeport, Frye
the police data unless otherwise noted. Categories include Asian Island, Gorham, Gray, Long Island, Naples, New Gloucester, North
or Pacific Islander, Black or African American, Native American Yarmouth, Portland, Pownal, Raymond, Scarborough, Sebago,
or Indigenous, or White. In the police department data, race is South Portland, Standish, Westbrook, Windham, Yarmouth,
recorded as perceived by the officer and is not self-identified by Arundel, Biddeford, Buxton, Cornish, Dayton, Hollis, Kennebunk,
the individual. Kennebunkport, Limerick, Limington, Lyman, Old Orchard Beach,
Saco, and Waterboro).
Ethnicity
Includes records which were identified as being Latinx or Hispanic Registration Violations
origin. This category is not exclusive with race. For example, an Include failure to display or produce a registration, inspection, or
individual may be identified as both Latinx and Black or African insurance information.
American. In the police department data, ethnicity is recorded as
perceived by the officer and is not self-identified by the individual. Moving Violations
Include but are not limited to speeding, failure to stop at a stop sign/
BIPOC red light, driving the wrong way, failure to yield, distracted driving,
A grouped category identifying individuals as either BIPOC or driving without a valid license, and safety belt or car seat violations.
White. The BIPOC group includes all individuals who were identi-
fied as Asian or Pacific Islander, Black or African American, Native Equipment Violations
American or Indigenous, or Latinx. Include any defective vehicle violation such as a broken light, inap-
propriate or unsafe tires, excessive exhaust noise, tinted windows,
Unhoused etc.
The adult arrest data extracts included a flag which identified indi-
viduals as being “homeless” or “transient” at the time of their arrest.
This information was combined with other variables to identify
all records where the individual was unhoused at the time of the
arrest. Address information was also examined and anyone with a
shelter address or motel address was also identified as unhoused.
Assessing Disproportionality
Arrest & Traffic Stop
in Patterns
Police Activities 6
METHODOLOGY
South Portland
Samples and Population Estimates
The various data extracts resulted in multiple datasets (Table Table 1

1), including: Total Records by Dataset
• Adult Arrest Records for both Portland and South Portland PORTLAND PD SOUTH PORTLAND PD
• Juvenile Arrest Records for both Portland and South Adult Arrests 7,536 2,542
Portland Juvenile Arrests 166 289
• Traffic Citations (South Portland and Portland) and Warnings Traffic Citations 5,056 4,020
(Portland only)
Traffic Warnings 8,965 N/A
The South Portland datasets and analysis are the focus of this
report. Table 2
Population Estimates for Various Age Groups, U.S.
Census 2020 Data
The research team downloaded population totals, and demo-
graphics on gender, age, and race/ethnicity from various popula- SOUTH
tion tables on the U.S. Census Bureau (2022) website. Race and AGE GROUP MAINE PORTLAND PORTLAND
ethnicity data by age was pulled from single race data tables and Total 1,340,825 66,706 25,665
combined. All population level data are 2020 American Community Adults (18+) 1,089,858 56,442 21,417
Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates.19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27
Juveniles (Under 18) 250,967 10,264 4,248
Drivers (15+) 1,135,578 57,948 22,311

Population data was pulled for specific age groups: adults (18+),
juveniles (under 18), and drivers (15+). Table 2 shows the total popu-
lation for the three age groups.19-27 Both cities have many visitors Demographic characteristics were then calculated for each of the
and commuters coming into their cities each day which changes sub-population groups to establish baseline population compari-
the demographics of the population with whom each department sons for the various samples (Adult Arrests, Juvenile Arrests, and
interacts. To account for this, the research team adjusted the Traffic Stops). While the adjusted population estimates may not
population estimates based on the residence distribution of the capture the true population of individuals who come into contact
arrest and traffic stop samples. For example, Portland residents with police, they represent a closer approximation for comparing
accounted for 71% of the arrests made by Portland PD, and there- the data given the methodological limitations. Full population
fore we used Portland demographics to account for 71% of our demographic estimates for each group can be found in Appendix A.
population estimates. Although out-of-state and unknown records
are included in the remainder of the report, we excluded them
from the residence distribution used in this calculation because we
could not adjust the demographics appropriately.
19 U.S. Census Bureau. (2022a). 2020 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates [Data Table: S0101].
20 U.S. Census Bureau. (2022b). 2020 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates [Data Table: B01001B].
21 U.S. Census Bureau. (2022c). 2020 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates [Data Table: B01001G].
22 U.S. Census Bureau. (2022d). 2020 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates [Data Table: B01001I].
23 U.S. Census Bureau. (2022e). 2020 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates [Data Table: B01001D].
24 U.S. Census Bureau. (2022f). 2020 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates [Data Table: B01001E].
25 U.S. Census Bureau. (2022g). 2020 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates [Data Table: B01001C].
26 U.S. Census Bureau. (2022h). 2020 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates [Data Table: B01001F].
27 U.S. Census Bureau. (2022i). 2020 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates [Data Table: B01001H].

METHODOLOGY
South Portland
Data & Analysis Limitations
This analysis provides insights into the arrests and traffic stops for individual self-identifies, and thus certain groups may be under-
the cities of Portland and South Portland over a three-year period, or over-represented. In addition, the U.S. Census data includes
however, it is limited in scope. There are many factors that lead to self-reported race and ethnicity information and has its own
and influence an arrest or traffic stop interaction and outcomes, limitations in the ability to accurately count all groups; there-
and many of these factors are external or unmeasured in this anal- fore, comparisons of population data and police department
ysis. This analysis looked solely at the available records from the data must be viewed with caution.
two departments and did not consider any systemic policies or
practices, or any community or individual experience information. ɕ This study did not include input from the point of view of
In many instances, this data can tell us that there is a difference the directly impacted individual. These events and the expe-
between various groups, but it does not always tell us why that riences of the directly impacted individual(s) are important in
difference exists. understanding the full context of an incident. This analysis did
not interview or survey the individuals involved in any incident
When interpreting the data and making conclusions, it is important (police officer or community member) to learn their percep-
to keep these limitations in mind. tion of the incident.
ɕ The data includes only records that lead to an arrest or ɕ This analysis did not examine policy or system level issues
citation. It does not include every interaction with the depart- (at the local, state, or national level) or context. Procedures
ments where an arrest was not made, verbal warnings, or a and policies such as staffing decisions, COVID-19 policy deci-
warning/citation was not given. A sample that included the sions, mandatory arrest rules, etc. may impact these results
data on every interaction with the departments would offer but are out of the scope of this study.
more opportunities for analyzing the relationship between the
various characteristics and the likelihood of getting arrested ɕ Due to the unknown influence of factors not included in
or receiving a citation during a traffic stop, especially at it this study, a statistical disparity does not necessarily point
pertains to race and ethnicity. to officer discrimination or racial profiling. The methods
used in this study measure the patterns and trends that may
ɕ This analysis only includes incidents where the local police indicate racial disparities and point to potential biased deci-
departments were the primary agency. This does not sion-making. However, there are many unmeasured external
include arrests or traffic incidents in either location where the factors (the individual’s economic situation, the officer’s
primary agency was a state or federal department such as the thought process, institutional or systemic factors, patrolling
Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Immigration and Customs patterns, etc.) that were out of the scope of this study to be
Enforcement (ICE), or the Maine State Police. In addition, given able to conclude whether an incident was one of bias. In some
the proximity of several other large towns and cities, there cases, missing data led the research team to remove some
may be cases where Portland police department was involved cases from the analysis.
in an incident, but again not the primary responding agency as
local departments sometimes collaborate. Even with these limitations, this study provides an overview of
police department data and identifies many patterns and trends
ɕ The data are reported and entered by the officers and for further exploration. The insights from this analysis also point
identities and characteristics are not self-reported by the to specific areas where the Police Department and the city can
individuals themselves. Therefore, in some cases, the racial work together to identify solutions to further improve safety and
and ethnic identities of the individuals may not reflect how an wellbeing of the local communities.

Detailed Findings: South Portland Police Data Analysis
South Portland Police Department

Arrests, 2018-2020 Table 3
Between 2018 and 2020, the South Portland PD made 2,542 arrests Demographics of the Full Sample of Adult Arrests by
South Portland PD, 2018-2020 (n=2,542)
of 2,347 adults (18+). There were 152 (7%) individuals who were
arrested multiple times during the study period (ranging from
2-8 times). The individuals who were arrested multiple times GENDER # OF ARRESTS %
accounted for 14% of all adult arrests between 2018 and 2020 in Men 1,746 68.7%
South Portland. Women 796 31.3%
The majority of arrests (78%) were individuals from the Port- RACE/ETHNICITY
land-South Portland Metro Area,28 including 35% from South Port- BIPOC 499 19.6%
land. Only a small proportion of arrests (5%) were individuals from Black or African American 386 15.2%
out of state.29 Latinx/Hispanic 88 3.5%
Asian/Pacific Islander 30 1.2%
Among adult arrests (including all residences) the majority were Native American/Indigenous 6 0.2%
White (80%), men (69%). Nearly one-fifth (20%) of the arrest White 2,043 80.4%
records were individuals who were identified as BIPOC, including
AGE
15% identified as Black or African American and 4% Latinx or
18–24 574 22.6%
Hispanic. Table 3 depicts these data in detail. The sample demo-
25–29 470 18.5%
graphics are compared to the overall population in detail later in
30–39 692 27.2%
this report.
40–49 403 15.9%
50–59 269 10.6%
60 or older 134 5.3%
28 The Portland-South Portland Metro Area includes towns and cities surrounding the two cities. See definitions for the full list of towns/cities included.
29 Residence information was missing from 7% (n=175) of the arrest records.

D E TA I L E D F I N D I N G S : S O U T H P O R T L A N D P O L I C E D ATA A N A LY S I S
South Portland
Arrest Location
The research team examined the location of the incident to identify patterns of arrests
around the city. The South Portland PD uses Patrol Areas30 as a means for dividing up the
city into areas for officers to patrol. As Table 4 shows, the highest number of arrests
(35%) occurred in the Maine Mall/South Portland Gardens/Crockett’s Corner neigh-
borhoods (Patrol Area 7).
Table 4
Location of Arrest by South Portland Patrol Area, 2018-2020 (n=2,542)
SOUTH PORTLAND PD PATROL AREA ARRESTS

N %
7 Maine Mall/South Portland Gardens/Crocketts Corner 885 34.8% The highest number of arrests
4 Ferry Village/SMCC/Knightville 685 27.0% occurred in the Maine Mall/
6 Thornton Heights/Cash Corner 598 23.5%
South Portland Gardens/
Crockett’s Corner neighborhoods
5 Pleasantdale/Broadview Park/ Stanwood Park 314 12.4%
(Patrol Area 7).
Out of Town 59 2.3%
Furthermore, the research team mapped the number of arrests by Census Tract to identify
areas with a high density of arrests. The map on the next page displays these areas which is
consistent with the data in Table 4. Specifically, the Maine Mall area and Thornton Heights
are shown as high areas of concentrations for arrests in South Portland. In addition, the area
around the South Portland police station is also highly concentrated, likely due to incidents
being assigned the station address as people come into the station to report a crime.
30 See the appendix for a map of the South Portland PD Patrol Areas (also known as Police Beats). This includes
4 different designations. In the table above neighborhood designations are approximate as they do not align exactly
with the police Patrol Areas. See appendix for full list and street details.

South Portland
Figure 1
Map of Total Number of Arrests in South Portland by Census Tract, 2018-2020
4–7 = South Portland PD Patrol Area
Number of Arrests
0–0 11–14 51–57

0–1 14–19 57–66
1–2 19–23 66–80
2–4 23–33 80–95
4–6 33–36 95–102
6–8 36–40 102–185
8–11 40–51
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South Portland
The research team also examined arrest locations to determine if any patterns emerged
among different areas of the city and the various racial and ethnic groups. As shown in Table
5, Black and Latinx individuals were more likely to have been arrested in Patrol Area
7, whereas White individuals were more likely to have been arrested in Patrol Area 4.
Arrest locations were also mapped to compare the locations of arrests among individuals
who were Black or Latinx to those who were White. The map on the next page shows the
number of arrests by Census Tract and reveals areas of high concentrations of arrests in
certain areas of the city for Black or Latinx Individuals.
Table 5
Arrest Location of Black/Latinx Individuals Compared to White Individuals
(n=2,505)
SOUTH PORTLAND PD PATROL AREA BLACK OR LATINX WHITE

Maine Mall/South Portland Gardens/ Black and Latinx individuals were
7 229 49.5%^ 644 31.5%
Crocketts Corner
more likely to have been arrested
6 Thornton Heights/Cash Corner 109 23.5% 476 23.3%
in Patrol Area 7
4 Ferry Village/SMCC/Knightville 70 15.1% 610 29.9%^
Pleasantdale/Broadview Park/
5 46 9.9% 262 12.8%
Stanwood Park
Out of Town 9 1.9% 50 2.4%
^ Indicates a statistically significant difference (z-test for column proportions) between Black/Latinx individuals
and White individuals (p<.05).
Other race/ethnicity groups (Native American/Indigenous and Asian/Pacific Islander) are not included in the
table or maps due to small sample sizes.

South Portland
Figure 2
Map of Total Number of Arrests Among Black/Latinx Individuals in South Portland by Census Tract, 2018-2020
4-7 = Portland PD Patrol Area
Number of Arrests
0–0 5–6 13–14

0–1 6–7 14–15
1–2 7–8 15–17
2–3 8–10 17–20
3–4 10–12 20–22
4–5 12–13 22–27
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South Portland
Circumstances Surrounding the Arrest
he South Portland PD arrest records include incidents that were
T
grouped into three categories based on the type of the incident: Table 6
summons,31 on-view arrest (non-warrant), and on-view warrant Type of Arrest, South Portland PD, 2018–2020
arrest. Nearly half (48%) of all incidents were summons, meaning
the individual received a summons to appear in court later but was INCIDENT TYPE SO. PORTLAND PD
not taken into custody at that time. On-view arrests where there % N
was no outstanding warrant accounted for 40% of all arrests in Summons 47.9% 1,218
South Portland, and arrests where the individual had an outstanding
On-view Arrest (no warrant) 39.5% 1,003
warrant accounted for just 13% of arrests. In the case of warrants,
an officer is required to make an arrest. Black/Latinx individuals Warrant Arrest 12.6% 321
were more likely than White individuals to be arrested with no
outstanding warrant (46.4% vs. 37.5%).32 In the case of warrants, Table 7
an officer is required to make an arrest. While dependent on the Top Charges, South Portland PD Adult Arrests (n= 2,954)
severity and type of offense, arrests that are officer-initiated and
no warrant is present tend to be more discretionary on the part of INCIDENT TYPE SO. PORTLAND PD
the arresting officer. % N

Criminal Traffic Violations 31.6% 934
Types of Charges
All Other Offenses (Undefined) 19.0% 561
Charges were grouped into categories to compare trends. Most
people received one (53%) or two charges (26%), with an average OUI 10.3% 305
number of 1.4 charges per incident. As Table 7 shows, top charges Theft 8.9% 262
included criminal traffic violations (not including OUIs), OUIs,
Warrant 7.3% 216
and all other offenses.33
Assault 6.5% 193
Charges were further examined by race/ethnicity group to iden- Drug Violations 4.0% 118
tify any patterns. There was no significant difference between
Criminal Trespassing 2.5% 73
Black or Latinx individuals and White individuals among most of
the top charges. White individuals, however, were more likely to Disorderly Conduct 2.2% 66
be arrested for drug violations (5% vs. 1%)34 compared to Black or
Criminal Mischief 1.5% 45
Latinx individuals.
Liquor Law Violations 1.4% 42
Other Charges 5.0% 139
31 Summons are an order directing the individual to appear in court and answer the charges later.
32 Black/Latinx individuals were more likely than White individuals to have been taken into custody without an outstanding warrant present (on-view arrest, no warrant),
X2(4)=20.215, p<.001.
33 Total n=2,954 due to multiple charges per incident. Percentages are calculated out of the total number of charges. All other offenses is a category of undefined charges that is
commonly used in South Portland. The “Other Charges” category at the bottom of the table represents all other charges as a grouped field.
34 Differences are statistically significant (z-test for column proportions, p<.05). Data not shown.

South Portland
Arrests Compared to Population-level
Table 8
Characteristics South Portland PD Arrests Compared to Weighted
Population Characteristics, All Maine Residents (n= 2,244)
A population estimate was created using 2020 5-year ACS data19-27
to be more representative of the population with whom the South POPULATION SAMPLE ALL
GENDER ESTIMATE YEARS
Portland PD is interacting.35 As outlined previously, comparing
Men 47.7% 67.7%^
arrests to U.S. Census population data is difficult, and observed
Women 52.3%^ 32.3%
population disparities do not necessarily mean that police discrim-
ination or biased-based policing are the cause of the disparities. RACE/ETHNICITY
Nonetheless, the comparison provides a useful starting point by BIPOC 10.1% 19.6%^
which to identify areas and patterns in need of further exploration, Black or African American 3.5% 15.2%^
and possible solutions to mitigate existing disparities. Asian/Pacific Islander 2.3%^ 1.2%
Native American/Indigenous 0.5%^ 0.1%
As shown in Table 8, when the sample of arrested individuals is Latinx/Hispanic 2.2% 3.5%^
compared to the population estimate,36 some notable differences Two or More Races 2.1% -
emerge. Similar to national trends, men are arrested more often White, Not Hispanic 89.9%^ 80.4%
than women. In addition, one-fifth (20%) of the adults who
were arrested by South Portland PD were identified as BIPOC, AGE (n= 6366)
while only 10% of the South Portland PD population estimate 18–24 12.0% 22.8%^
is BIPOC. This difference is made up mostly of individuals who 25–29 9.8% 18.6%^
were identified as Black or African American, who represent only 30–39 15.6% 26.8%^
4% of the population but account for 15% of those arrested by the 40–49 14.3% 15.9%^
South Portland PD during the study period. The number of arrests 50–59 17.7%^ 10.5%
also includes a higher proportion of individuals under the age of 60 or older 30.7%^ 5.4%
50 compared to the population. When we limit the sample to only
arrests of South Portland residents (35% of all arrests), the same ^ Indicates a statistically significant difference between the South Portland PD
patterns hold. Population and the sample of South Portland PD arrests (where p<.05). Full chi-
square test results can be found in Appendix D.
All population estimates are based on 2020 5-year ACS estimates from the U.S.
Census Bureau. See methods section for more information.
Race and ethnicity categories are not exclusive and may add to more than 100%.
35 See the methods section for more information.

36 The South Portland PD interacts with individuals from locations outside of South Portland. Therefore, in order to compare to population level characteristics, the research
team created a population baseline that is representative of the residences of the arrestees in the South Portland PD data. This comparison also excludes anyone from out of state
and those who were missing residence information. See the methods section for more information.

South Portland
Arrest Rates Among South Portland Residents
In 2020, the city of South Portland had a population of 25,665 people with 21,417 over the age
of 18.37 Overall, 35% (879) of South Portland PD arrests were people from the South Port-
land. The arrests among South Portland residents were examined in comparison to city-level
population data.27-35 This data was used to create average annual rates of arrest out of 100
South Portland residents in each subgroup.38
As shown in Figure 3, South Portland residents who were Black or African American
were arrested at an average annual rate more than 4 times higher than White resi-
dents (5.3 vs. 1.2 out of 100). As previously noted, while this comparison to U.S. Census
data is limited,39 this analysis points to a disparity which should be used as a guideline for
the South Portland Police Department to look deeper into the arrests of BIPOC individuals,
particularly those who are Black or African American.
Figure 3
Rate of Arrest (Out of 100 People) by South Portland PD, South Portland
Residents
South Portland Residents Overall, 1.4
Black/African American, 5.3
Latinx/Hispanic, 1.8
White, Not Hispanic, 1.2
Native American/Indigenous, 0.8
Asian/Pacific Islander, 0.5
38 See the appendix for more details on this calculation.
39 The comparison of the Portland PD arrest data to U.S. Census data is limited due to differences in the ways the
data is collected (self-reported vs. officer reported) and U.S. Census limitations in representing all groups accurately.
See the methods and limitations sections for more information. Even with these limitations the U.S. Census data
provides the best comparable data set to help identify differences between the population and the sample of arrests.

South Portland
South Portland PD Juvenile Arrests
In 2020, Maine had an estimated 250,957 young people under the
Table 9
age of 18, with 4,248 of those youth living in the city of South Port-
land.40 From 2018 to 2020, the South Portland PD made 289 South Portland PD Juvenile Arrests Compared to
Population Estimates, 2018-2020 (n=278)
arrests of 223 youth (under the age of 18). During the study
period, 16% (n=36) of these individuals had multiple records of
POPULATION SPPD
arrest and accounted for 35% of all juvenile arrests. The majority of
GENDER ESTIMATE (UNDER 18) ARRESTS
these young people were from the Portland-South Portland Metro
Boys 53.8% 54.7%
Area (88%), including 44% from South Portland. A small number
Girls 46.2% 45.3%
were youth from out of state (4%) or other areas of Maine (9%).
RACE/ETHNICITY
Researchers calculated a weighted population estimate for the BIPOC 19.7% 35.3%^
South Portland PD juvenile population using population-level Black or African American 8.7% 27.3%^
characteristics and adjusting for residence.41 As shown in Table 9, Asian/Pacific Islander 1.7% 1.8%
compared to the population estimate, the juvenile arrests during Native American/Indigenous 0.5%
the study period were more likely to be youth who were BIPOC Latinx/Hispanic 4.2% 6.1%
(35%).42 Black or African American youth represented 27% of Two or More Races 5.5% 2.2%
all South Portland juvenile arrests, but only 9% of the popu- White, Not Hispanic 80.3%^ 64.7%
lation estimate. Overall, there was no significant difference in
arrests between boys and girls compared to the population esti- AGE
mates. Even with the small sample sizes, these data demonstrate 5–9 24.8% 0.7%
disparity in arrests among BIPOC youth in South Portland, which 10–14 31.7% 27.3%
is similar to the trends in adult arrests found in this analysis as 15–17 18.9% 72.0%^
well as nationwide. While some previous research has been done

statewide,43 additional research such as qualitative exploration and
community conversations could help explain some of these trends
among the juvenile population in South Portland. The similar
patterns of disproportionate arrests of Black or African-American
youth and adults should spur the South Portland Police Depart-
ment to look deeper into these arrests patterns.
41 This does not represent the population of the city of South Portland but rather a weighted average based on the residences in the sample to account for other areas around
Maine. For more information about this population estimate see the appendix and methods sections.
42 The differences between the PPD juvenile arrests sample and the population characteristics were tested for statistical significance where p<.05. All significant differences in the
table between the arrests sample and the corresponding subgroup are noted with a “^”. Full chi-square test results can be found in the appendix.
43 See the Place Matters report series which includes several reports examining youth pathways and opportunities in Maine.

South Portland
People Experiencing Homelessness in South
Portland
Table 10
Research shows that housing instability has long been associated South Portland PD Arrests by Housing Status at the Time
with justice system involvement.44,45 In January 2020, an estimated of Arrest, 2018-2020 (n=165)
2,097 people were unhoused in Maine,46 up from 1,714 in 2018,47 an
18% increase in just two years.48 This increase was likely impacted UNHOUSED (n=251) HOUSED (n=2,291)
by a combination of the economic effects from the rising housing GENDER N % N %
crisis in Maine, and the influx of asylum seekers during this same Men 193 76.9%^ 1,553 67.8%
time period. In recent years, South Portland has increasingly hosted Women 58 23.1% 738 32.2%^
families in area hotels to accommodate overflow from the Portland
shelters. Although outside the timeframe of this report, in June RACE/ETHNICITY
2022, an estimated 280 individuals were housed at two hotels in BIPOC 35 13.9% 464 20.3%^
South Portland as part of a contract with Maine Housing.49 White, Not Hispanic 216 86.1%^ 1,827 79.7%
AGE
From 2018 to 2020, people experiencing homelessness repre-
18–24 30 12.0% 544 23.7%^
sented 10% (251) of all South Portland PD arrests.50 Individuals
25–29 37 14.7% 433 18.9%
who were unhoused at the time of their arrest were more likely to
30–39 73 29.1% 619 27.0%
be White, men, between the ages of 40 and 59 compared to those
40–49 54 21.5%^ 349 15.2%
who were housed at the time of their arrest.51
50–59 43 17.1%^ 226 9.9%
60 or older 14 5.60% 120 5.2%
In addition, people experiencing homelessness were more
likely to be arrested multiple times throughout the study
^ Indicates a statistically significant difference between the two subgroups
period compared to people who were housed (1.62 arrests on
(p<.05).
average vs. 1.36).52
44 Chapin Hall, Voices of Youth Count. (2017). Missed Opportunities: Youth Homelessness in America, National Estimates. Retrieved from https://voicesofyouthcount.org/wp-
content/uploads/2017/11/VoYC-National-Estimates-Brief-Chapin-Hall-2017.pdf
45 Gillespie, S., & Batko, S. (September 16, 2020). Feature: Five Charts That Explain the Homelessness- Jail Cycle and How to Break It. Washington D.C.: Urban Institute. Retrieved
from https://www.urban.org/features/five-charts-explain-homelessness-jail-cycle-and-how-break-it
46 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2021). HUD 2020 Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Programs Homeless Populations and Subpopulations Report-
Maine. Retrieved from https://files.hudexchange.info/reports/published/CoC_PopSub_State_ME_2020.pdf
47 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2019). HUD 2018 Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Programs Homeless Populations and Subpopulations Report-
Maine. Retrieved from https://files.hudexchange.info/reports/published/CoC_PopSub_State_ME_2018.pdf
48 The 2020 count is used as a reference to be comparable to the study sample. However, recent data shows that the population of people experiencing homelessness in Maine
has continued to grow, reaching an estimated 3,455 people as of January 2022. See the Maine Housing Point in Time Survey for more information.
49 Bouchard, K. (June 29, 2022). South Portland hotels will continue housing homeless individuals. Portland: Portland Press Herald. https://www.pressherald.com/2022/06/29/south-
portland-hotels-will-continue-housing-homeless-individuals/#:~:text=Currently%2C%20506%20single%20adults%20are,Howard%20Johnson%20in%20South%20Portland.
50 The arrest records data includes a flag that identifies an individual as unhoused. Researchers used this information and also flagged any record where the given address was a
city shelter, hotel, or motel to identify individuals who were experiencing homelessness at the time of their arrest. This includes all records which may have been people from out of
state or from other areas in Maine as well as those with missing residence information who were also identified as unhoused in the South Portland PD data system.
51 Unhoused individuals were more likely to be men, X2(1)=8.720, p=.003; White, X2(1)=5.707, p=.017; and between the ages of 40-59, X2(5)=33.369, p<.001
52 This difference is statistically significant, (t-test of means, p<.001).

South Portland
As shown in Table 11, nearly one-third (32%) of the arrests of people who were unhoused
at the time of their arrest occurred in South Portland Patrol Area 6 (Thornton Heights/
Cash Corner). People experiencing homelessness were significantly more likely to have
been arrested in this area compared to those who were housed at the time of their arrest.
Patrol Area 6 is also the location of the hotels that are hosting people experiencing home-
lessness. Both groups, regardless of housing status were equally likely to have been arrested
in Patrol Areas 4 and 7. However, people experiencing homelessness were less likely to have
been arrested in Patrol Area 5 (compared to those who were housed).
Table 11
Arrest Location by Housing Status (n=2,542)
SOUTH PORTLAND PD PATROL AREA UNHOUSED HOUSED
4 Ferry Village/SMCC/Knightville 23.5% 59 27.3% 626
Pleasantdale/Broadview Park/
5 3.2% 8 13.4%^ 306
Stanwood Park People experiencing
6 Thornton Heights/Cash Corner 31.5%^ 79 22.70% 519 homelessness were significantly
more likely to have been arrested
Maine Mall/South Portland Gardens/
7
Crocketts Corner
38.2% 96 34.5% 789 in South Portland Patrol Area 6
(Thornton Heights/Cash Corner)
Out of Town 3.6% 9 2.2% 50
compared to those who were
housed at the time of their arrest
^ Indicates a statistically significant difference (z-test for column proportions, p<.05) between people who were
unhoused and people who were housed at the time of their arrest.
The most common charges among people who were experiencing homelessness at
the time of their arrest included all other offenses (33%)53, warrants (13%), theft (9%),
criminal trespassing (8%), assault (8%), and drug violations (7%). They were more
likely to have been arrested for all other offenses, warrants, criminal trespassing, and drug
violations compared to people who were not experiencing homelessness.54
53 All other offenses is a category of undefined charges that is commonly used in South Portland and provides no
further information about what is included in this category.
54 Data not shown. Differences are statistically significant (z-test of column proportions, p<.05).

South Portland
Factors Influencing the Race of the Arrested Individual
Based on the findings from the descriptive analysis, the researchers identified several
factors which were further examined using multiple logistic regression. This approach helps
to isolate the extent to which a variable is associated with an outcome, while also accounting
for the other factors in the model that might influence that outcome. The model assessed
the effect of age, gender, housing status, time of day, and Patrol Area on the likelihood
of an arrested individual being Black or Latinx (dependent variable). Because an officer in
South Portland is required to make an arrest if an individual has an outstanding warrant, the
researchers included outstanding warrants in the model as well.
Figure 4
Percent Increase/Decrease in Odds of the Arrested Individual Being Black/

Latinx
Male 119%
Patrol Area 7 78%
Officer's Age 2%
Age -3%
Daylight -31%
Unhoused -44%
Patrol Area 4 -44%
Overall, Figure 4 shows that the odds of the arrestee being Black or Latinx increased
when the incident occurred in Patrol Area 7, and when the individual was male. The
odds of an individual being Black or Latinx decreased when the incident occurred during
the day, in Patrol Area 4, and when the individual was unhoused.55 Although these variables
accounted for only 11% of the variance, which suggests that many factors which influence
arrests by race/ethnicity are external to this analysis, the analysis upholds the findings of
disparities shared in the previous sections.
55 This logistic regression model showed that the above variables were all significantly associated with the arrested
individual being Black or Latinx (X2(7)=179.780, p<.001). These variables explained 11.2% of the variance in the race/
ethnicity and correctly predicted 81.6% of the cases. See the appendix for the full results.

South Portland
Multiple Charges Analysis
The decision to request multiple charges from the District Attorney
is typically a discretionary decision by a police officer making the
arrest. Prior research has suggested that race or ethnicity may have
an impact on the number and severity of charges which police offi-
cers request, and has found that officers request multiple charges
in cases they believe are a high risk to the community.56 For this
study, the researchers conducted multiple logistic regression anal-
ysis to examine the association between gender, race, age, loca-
tion, housing status, and time of day with the decision to request
multiple charges.
Overall, the results of the model57 showed that the odds of an indi-
vidual receiving more than one charge increased when the individual
was male, unhoused, and when the incident occurred between the
hours of 9 pm and 11:59 pm, or between 3:00 am and 5:59 am. It
is important to note that in this analysis the race or ethnicity
and the gender of the person arrested were not significantly
related to the decision to request multiple charges. The model
supports the findings in the previous sections of this report
showing that people who were experiencing homelessness at the
time of their arrest were more likely to receive multiple charges. In
fact, people who were unhoused had a 69% increase in the odds of
receiving multiple charges. In addition, men had a 24% increase in
the odds of receiving multiple charges. This model only accounted
for 2% of the variance in multiple charges and therefore additional
research is needed to determine other factors which may be influ-
encing these requests that are external to this analysis.
56 Roh, S. & Robinson, M. (2009). A Geographic Approach to Racial Profiling: The Microanalysis and Macroanalysis of Racial Disparity in Traffic Stops. Police Quarterly, 12(2), 137-
169.
57 This logistic regression model showed that the noted variables were all significantly associated with multiple charges being requested (X2(4)=35.755, p=.000). These variables
explained 2.0%(R2) of the variance and correctly predicted 73.2% of the cases. See the appendix for the full results.

South Portland
South Portland PD Traffic Citations, Table 12
2018-2020 Demographics of Individuals who Received a Traffic
Citation from South Portland PD, 2018-2020 (n=4,020)
From 2018 to 2020 the South Portland PD conducted 4,020
CITATIONS
traffic stops which resulted in a citation. In 2020, there was a 21%
decrease in citations likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the GENDER N %
time of this study, South Portland did not collect information on Men/Boys 2,363 58.8%
stops which resulted in a written or verbal warning, therefore this Women/Girls 1,504 37.4%
analysis focuses only on stops that resulted in a citation. Missing 153 3.8%
RACE/ETHNICITY
Just over one-third (34%) of all citations were individuals
BIPOC 328 8.2%
from South Portland. Half (51%) were individuals from other
Black or African American 306 7.6%
Portland-South Portland Metro Area locations, and another 11% of
Asian/Pacific Islander 21 0.5%
citations were individuals from other areas of Maine. Only 4% of all
Native American/Indigenous 0 0.0%
citations were people from out of state.58
Latinx/Hispanic 1 0.0%
White, Not Hispanic 3,462 86.1%
Overall, the majority of drivers who were issued citations were men
Missing 230 5.7%
or boys (59%). In addition, while the majority of drivers cited were
White (86%), 8.2% of drivers were BIPOC. Black or African Amer- AGE
ican drivers alone represented 7.6% of all citations which is Under 15 1 0.0%
higher than population estimates (3.6%).59 15–17 99 2.5%
18–24 782 19.5%
25–29 655 16.3%
30–39 998 24.8%
40–49 636 15.8%
50–59 439 10.9%
60 or older 368 9.2%
Missing 42 1.0%
58 Data not shown in the figure above. Out of state represented 3.8% (n=151) of all citations and another 0.4% were missing residence information (n=18). When comparing to the
population, the citations records where residence information is missing and people from out of state were excluded from analysis (n=169).
59 The proportion of Black or African American drivers in the citations sample was significantly higher than population estimates (z-test of column proportions, p<.05).

South Portland
Time of Day
Previous research has suggested one way to examine the presence of bias in traffic stops
is to examine the time of day and whether the stop occurred at night or during daylight
hours.60, 61 This is commonly referred to as the “veil of darkness” hypothesis, which assumes
that a police officer’s bias in initial stops may be reduced at night because the visibility of
the driver (and their race) is limited. Time associated factors were analyzed, and all traffic
stops that resulted in a citation were coded based on the incident time to estimate whether
the incident took place during daylight hours or nighttime. In total, 19% (754) of the South
Portland PD traffic stops which resulted in a citation took place during nighttime hours.
Table 13
South Portland PD Traffic Stops by Time of Day and Race/Ethnicity
RACE/ETHNICITY DAYLIGHT (n=3,266) DARKNESS (n=754)

BIPOC 6.7% 17.5%^
Black or African American 6.2% 16.4%^ Contrary to the “veil of darkness”
Asian/Pacific Islander 0.4% 1.1%^ theory, Black or African American
Native American/Indigenous 0.0% 0.0% individuals were stopped more
Latinx/Hispanic 0.0% 0.0%
frequently during the nighttime
White, Not Hispanic 93.3%^ 82.5%
than the daylight
^ Indicates a statistically significant difference between the daylight and darkness subgroups (p<.05).
The Veil of Darkness theory suggests that in cases of discrimination, Black or African Amer-
ican drivers would be more likely to be stopped during the day since it would be easier
for officers with conscious or unconscious biases to determine the race of the driver. As
shown in Table 13, contrary to the theory, Black or African American individuals were
more likely to have received a citation during the nighttime (16%) than during the
daylight hours (6%).62 More specifically, Black or African American drivers were more likely
to receive a citation between the hours of 9:00 PM and 5:59 AM. In fact, among Black or
African American drivers, 28% of all citations occurred during those hours compared to 10%
of citations for all other race and ethnic groups.63 While there are a number of citicisms of
60 Grogger, J., & Ridgeway, G. (2006). Testing for racial profiling in traffic stops from behind a veil of
darkness. Journal of the American Statistical Association, 101(475), 878-887
61 Pierson, E., Simoiu, C., Overgoor, J. et al. A large-scale analysis of racial disparities in police stops across the
United States. Nat Hum Behav 4, 736–745 (2020).
62 Black or African American individuals were more likely to be stopped at night than during the daylight hours
and White individuals were more likely to be stopped during the day, X2(3)=85.536, p=.000. While sample sizes for
other groups were small, BIPOC individuals as a group were more likely to be stopped at night compared to the day,
X2(1)=84.602, p=.000. Sample sizes for Native American/Indigenous and Latinx groups are very small (<5) interpret
with caution.
63 Data not shown. Black or African American individuals were more likely to have received a citation compared to
all other race/ethnicity groups between 9:00 PM and 11:59 PM (9% vs. 4%), 12:00 AM and 2:59 AM (16% vs. 5%), and
3:00 AM and 5:59 AM (4% vs. 2%), X2(7)=108.211, p=.000.

South Portland
the “Veil of Darkness” approach, according to this theory, this data
does not indicate widespread profiling in traffic stops based solely Table 14
on the driver’s race or ethnicity during this study period. South Portland PD Traffic Citations Among Maine
Residents Compared to the Population Estimate, 2018-
2020
South Portland PD Traffic Citations Compared
POPULATION CITATIONS
to Population-level Characteristics GENDER (n= 3,722) ESTIMATE SAMPLE (n=3,851)
A population estimate for drivers (age 15+) was created using 2020 Men 48.2% 60.8%^
ACS 5-year estimates and adjusted to make it comparable to the Women 51.8%^ 39.2%
sample of traffic citations.19-27 While the previous “Veil of Darkness”

RACE/ETHNICITY (n=4573)
analysis did not find evidence of racial profiling in traffic citations,
BIPOC 10.2%^ 8.7%
compared to the population estimate men, Black or African Amer-
Black or African American 3.6% 8.1%^
ican individuals, and people ages 18-49 are overrepresented in the
Asian/Pacific Islander 2.2%^ 0.6%
sample of South Portland PD citations.64 In particular, people who
Native American/Indigenous 0.5% 0.0%
were identified as Black or African American are overrepresented
Latinx/Hispanic 2.1%^ 0.0%
compared to the population of driving aged individuals (8% of cita-
Two or More Races 2.2% 0.0%
tions vs. 4% of the population). These findings are consistent with
White, Not Hispanic 89.8% 91.3%^
the trends and disparities identified in the arrest records analysis
and may indicate other factors involved that are outside the scope AGE (n= 4664)
of this study. Under 15 0.0%
15–17 3.8% 2.6%
18–24 11.4% 19.3%^
25–29 9.2% 16.7%^
30–39 14.9% 24.8%^
40–49 13.8% 16.2%^
50–59 17.1%^ 11.3%
60 or older 29.9%^ 9.1%
^ Indicates a statistically significant difference between the South Portland PD

Population and the sample of South Portland PD citations (where p<.05). Full
chi-square test results can be found in Appendix E.
64 The population estimate and sample compared exclude people from out of state and those with missing residences. The population estimate is a weighted average of Maine
and city-level data adjusted to be comparable to the residence of the individuals in the citations sample. See the methods section for more information and Appendix A for more
details on the population data.

South Portland
Table 15
Type of Citation Violation Issued, South Portland PD
TOTAL BLACK DRIVERS WHITE DRIVERS

N % N % N %
Registration Violations 2,529 57.6% 152 44.1% 2,225 59.1%^
Moving Violations 1,452 33.1% 166 48.1%^ 1,204 32.0%
Speeding 364 8.3% 43 12.5%^ 294 7.8%
Seat belt or Child Car seat Violation 308 7.0% 21 6.1% 279 7.4%
Failure to Stop 282 6.4% 25 7.2% 241 6.4%
Operating Without a Valid License 210 4.8% 26 7.5%^ 175 4.6%
Other Moving Violation 202 4.6% 27 7.8%^ 158 4.2%
Permit Violation 50 1.1% 21 6.1%^ 24 0.6%
Distracted Driving 36 0.8% 3 0.9% 33 0.9%
Equipment Violations 72 1.6% 14 4.1%^ 52 1.4%
Defective Vehicle Violation 66 1.5% 14 4.1%^ 46 1.2%
Excessive Noise 6 0.1% 0 0.0% 6 0.2%
Other 334 7.6% 13 3.8% 286 7.6%^
TOTAL 4,387 345 3,767
^ Indicates a statistically significant difference (z-test of column proportions) between Black/African American drivers and White drivers (p<.05). Other race/ethnicity
groups (Latinx, Native American/Indigenous, Asian/Pacific Islander) are not shown due to small sample sizes.
Types of Citation
Citations were grouped into four categories: registration viola- The most common type of moving violation was speeding which
tions, moving violations, equipment violations, or other.65 As Table accounted for 8% of all citations. Black or African American drivers
15 shows,66 the most common type of citation violations were were significantly more likely to receive a citation for speeding
registration violations which represented 58% of all citations compared to White drivers (13% vs. 8%). In addition, Black or
between 2018 and 2020. Another one-third (33%) of citations African American drivers were more likely to have received cita-
were moving violations, and a small number were equipment (2%) tions for operating without a valid license compared to White
or other violations (8%). Black or African American drivers were drivers (8% vs. 5%). While violations related to learner’s permits
more likely to have received a moving violation (48% vs. 32%) and (driving with non-family passengers, driving after curfew, etc.) were
equipment violations (4% vs. 1%) compared to drivers who were only 1% of citations overall, Black or African American drivers were
White. Meanwhile, drivers who were White were more likely to more likely than White drivers to have received a citation for a
have received a registration violation (59% vs. 44%).67 permit violation (6% vs. 0.6%).
65 Registration violations include failures to display/produce registration, insurance, or inspection information. See the methods section for more details on what is included in
each category.
66 Other race/ethnicity groups (Latinx, Native American/Indigenous, Asian/Pacific Islander) are not shown in the table due to small sample sizes.
67 The difference in citation types between Black/African American drivers and White drivers was statistically significant, X2(6)=65.010, p<.001.

South Portland
Table 16
Location of South Portland PD Traffic Citation, by Patrol Area and Race/Ethnicity Group, 2018-2020 (n=4,016)
BLACK/AFRICAN- WHITE
TOTAL AMERICAN DRIVERS DRIVERS
SOUTH PORTLAND PD PATROL AREA N % N % N %
4 Ferry Village/SMCC/Knightville 1,394 34.7% 62 20.30% 1,247 36.1%^
7 Maine Mall/South Portland Gardens/Crocketts Corner 1,042 25.9% 125 40.8%^ 840 24.3%
6 Thornton Heights/Cash Corner 905 22.5% 83 27.1% 769 22.2%
5 Pleasantdale/Broadview Park/ Stanwood Park 626 15.6% 35 11.4% 557 16.1%
Out of Town 49 1.2% 1 0.3% 46 1.3%
^Indicates a statistically significant difference between Black or African American drivers and white drivers (z-test for column proportions, p<.05). Other race/ethnicity
groups (Latinx, Native American/Indigenous, Asian/Pacific Islander) are not shown due to small sample sizes.
Location of Traffic Citations

Traffic citations were slightly more dispersed around the city
compared to arrests. The top location for traffic citations were
the Ferry Village/SMCC/Knightville neighborhoods (Patrol
Area 4) where 35% of citations occurred. While Patrol Area 7
was the top location for arrests in South Portland, it was second
for traffic stops with 26% of all citations.
The research team further examined Patrol Areas by the drivers’

race/ethnicity to identify any patterns in specific areas of the city.
As shown in Table 16, Black or African American drivers were signifi-
cantly more likely to receive a citation in Patrol Area 7 compared
to White drivers (41% vs. 24%). White drivers were more likely to
receive a citation in Patrol Area 4 compared to Black or African
American drivers (36% vs. 20%).68
68 In the table above, ^ indicates a statistically significant difference between Black or African American drivers and White drivers (z-test for column proportions, p<.05). Other
race/ethnicity groups (Latinx, Native American/Indigenous, Asian/Pacific Islander) are not shown due to small sample sizes.

South Portland
Factors Influencing the Race of the Driver Who Was Stopped
Based on the findings from the descriptive analysis, the researchers identified several factors
which they further examined using multiple logistic regression. As stated previously, this
approach helps to isolate the extent to which a variable is associated with an outcome, while
also controlling for other the other factors in the model that might influence that outcome.
The model assessed the effect of age, gender, time of day, and Patrol Area on the likelihood
of the driver stopped being Black or African American (dependent variable).69
As shown in Figure 5, the odds of the driver being Black or African American increased
when the driver was male, when the incident occurred in Patrol Areas 6 or 7, and
when it occurred at night between the hours of 9:00 pm and 5:59 am. These variables
accounted for only 10% of the variance in the driver’s race, however, meaning that many
important factors are not captured by this analysis.70
Figure 5
Percent Increase/Decrease in Odds of the Stopped Individual Being Black or

African American
Time 12:00 AM to 2:59 AM 198%
Patrol Area 7 160%
Time 3:00 AM to 5:59 AM 131%
Time 9:00 PM t o 11:59 PM 121%
Male 86%
Patrol Area 6 69%
Driver's Age -2%
Officer's Age -2%
69 While the arrest data regressions used Black/Latinx as a group for the dependent variable, the traffic records
included only a small number (n=1) identified as Latinx and thus these records were excluded from the regression
analysis.
70 This logistic regression model showed that the above variables were all significantly associated with the driver
being Black or African American (X2(8)=168.190, p=.000). These variables explained 10.2%(R2) of the variance in the
race/ethnicity and correctly predicted 91.9% of the cases.

Conclusion & Recommendations
Conclusion
The analysis did not find statistical evidence of biased-based policing by members of
the South Portland Police Department, that is, instances where an officer made a deci-
sion or took action based on the individual’s race or ethnicity rather than the individual’s
behavior. In particular, our analysis does not find significant evidence that race and ethnicity
were related to the decision to request multiple charges, which prior research suggests can
be an indicator of biased decision-making.71 Additionally, in terms of traffic enforcement
this analysis found that, contrary to the Veil of Darkness theory, Black or African American
individuals were not stopped more frequently during daylight hours. This does not mean
such incidents do not happen, but rather no patterns emerge that demonstrate severe and
persistent occurrences; indeed, identifying officer attitudes and individual acts of bias-based
policing by individual police officers was beyond the scope of this report.
However, despite limitations in the scope of this study, the analysis does provide some
evidence of racial and ethnic disparities in arrests and traffic stops, particularly among
Black or African American individuals. Black/Latinx individuals were also more likely than
White individuals to be arrested with no outstanding warrant. Specific factors influencing
these disparities in South Portland include location (notably, Patrol Area 7), gender, and time
of day. In addition, this analysis found disparities involving people who were experiencing
homelessness at the time of their arrest, who were more likely to receive multiple charges.
The research team has identified many next steps which could help the South Portland PD
dig more deeply into these particular areas, such as changes to data collection and further
analysis, including at the officer level. Indeed, many factors which were external to this
analysis should be explored further in order to better understand the patterns observed in
arrests and traffic stops in South Portland. The first set of recommendations below are for
the South Portland PD, specifically, and are activities that the Department can undertake
unilaterally to improve their practice. The second set of recommendations will require the
South Portland PD and the city of South Portland to collaborate with local social service
providers and community partners to work towards these common goals. It is our firm
belief that undertaking the best practices outlined below will help to reduce the disparities
observed in this study, support local communities, and bridge relations between the police
department and the people they serve.
71 Roh, S. & Robinson, M. (2009). A Geographic Approach to Racial Profiling: The Microanalysis and Macroanalysis
of Racial Disparity in Traffic Stops. Police Quarterly, 12(2), 137-169.

D I S C U S S I O N & R ECO M M E N DAT I O N S
South Portland
Recommendations for South Portland Police
Department
The South Portland PD should explore additional research and analysis to address the limita-
tions of this study and further explain some of the findings, particularly those involving racial
and ethnic disparities. In addition, making system-wide updates to data collection and imple-
menting ongoing monitoring processes would allow for better transparency, accountability,
and more effective analysis moving forward. These recommendations are also aligned with
statewide efforts and recent legislation72 to improve the data collection and procedures
associated with traffic stops in order to eliminate racial profiling, as well as recommenda-
tions from the city of South Portland’s Police Services Review Working Group (PSRWG).73
Moreover, these represent areas where the South Portland PD can lead by example in
supporting anti-racism and anti-bias policies, practices, and programs.
01. Promote transparency, engagement, and monitoring.
South Portland PD leadership should initiate and participate in community meetings to

share and discuss these findings with community groups, city leadership, organizations
concerned about racial equity, and local human rights commissions. In addition, the depart-
ment should expand their current practices for sharing data with the City Council and the
public, including social media and periodic presentations, which will allow for ongoing
reporting and monitoring of key data points and transparent reporting of race and ethnicity
statistics to the public.
72 For more information about this law see LD132/HP88 An Act to Implement the Attorney General’s
Recommendations on Data Collection in Order to Eliminate Racial Profiling in Maine.
73 Freshley, C. (February 2021). Report of Findings and Recommendations. South Portland, ME: South Portland
Police Services Review Working Group. https://www.southportland.org/files/9916/1356/9426/South_Portland_Police_
Services_Review_Working_Group_-_Report_of_Findings_and_Recommendations_-_2021-02-12.pdf

South Portland
02. Implement data collection improvements.
The first step to being able to identify patterns of racial profiling and bias is to collect accu-
rate and complete data on all stops and interactions that police officers have with commu-
nity members, regardless of the outcome of that interaction. This study revealed data quality,
gaps, and tracking issues which should be addressed to improve data quality and efficiency
for future research and monitoring purposes. The data extraction required a complex, time
consuming process to gather data from multiple database tables. In many cases, information
was not available and there were a large number of errors, inconsistencies, and missing data.
As the department rolls out the new data management system, the following are specific
items that could improve the efficiency and quality of reporting:
• Inconsistencies in coding and naming conventions limit efficient and quality reporting
abilities. Standardized naming and procedures should be implemented to reduce this
in the future.
• Use of force data was not able to be matched up to the arrest records which did not
allow for any analysis on this topic. Ensuring that the records in the new system can
be properly linked is important for future analysis.
• South Portland did not have consistent call source information that was available to
match up to arrest records and therefore additional analysis and data is needed on
this topic.
• Officers should collect basic demographic data on all traffic stops, including those
that resulted in a warning or a verbal warning only, the reason for the initial stop, and
information on searches conducted. Officers may need additional training to support
this effort and standardize the results.
• The department should explore ways to capture data on all interactions that police
officers have with community members, including incidents where an arrest was not
made, or a warning/citation was not issued.
03. Conduct additional research.

The limitations in this study mean additional research is needed to further understand the
trends and patterns detected in the data and determine if there is evidence of individual
officer bias. Specifically, a high priority for the department should be an in-depth analysis
of call source and the reason for the initial stop or arrest incident. Call source data also
provides deeper insight into officer-initiative activities and the level of officer discretion,
both of which are areas in need of further research in South Portland. Specific attention
should be paid to arrests that include highly discretionary activities such as drinking, drug
use, or disorderly conduct. This new analysis should compare (and control for) patterns
of officers who work in similar areas and on similar shifts to determine if any officers are
outliers in terms of the groups they arrest or cite. The department should also explore the
patrol patterns in the neighborhoods identified in this analysis specifically where Black or
Latinx individuals are more likely to be arrested (Patrol Area 7). In addition, an analysis of
traffic stops which resulted in only a verbal or written warning and a closer examination of

South Portland
patrol patterns could help explain some of the differences observed in this study. Because
the numbers are low, but the disparity notable, some additional qualitative research to
explore juvenile arrests could also be beneficial to the department.
04. Continue to fund and implement ongoing anti-bias efforts for all
staff.
Our analysis found some evidence of disparities in arrests and traffic citations. Given the
potential impact of officer bias (even implicit), the South Portland PD should continue to
implement and/or expand measures to reduce officer bias and increase accountability, such
as annual training on systemic racism and implicit bias, and adequately assessing applicants
for bias. These strategies are strongly supported by national research as effective means
to reduce racial inequities in the criminal justice system74 and align with recommendations
from local community and advocacy groups. The City of Portland Racial Equity Steering
Committee (RESC) made several recommendations for specific consultants including
the Mid Atlantic Equity Consortium (MAEC) or GARE.75 In addition, the Fair and Impartial
Policing Curriculum developed by the University of Southern Florida is another that might
be considered. South Portland could consider partnering with Portland in order to stream-
line and expand training efforts across the two cities.
05. Continue to develop recruitment and advancement pathways to

increase staff diversity.
Although not included elsewhere in our analysis because the numbers were so small, only
4% (n=2) of the officers listed in the arrest records were BIPOC. In keeping with best prac-
tices, the South Portland PD should continue to develop recruitment and advancement
pathways that attract and retain a more diverse police force, drawing on the diversity of the
local community. The department should also review its current policies and procedures to
see what changes can be made to better support these efforts. The South Portland Police
Department should consider a more decentralized approach to recruitment efforts that
empowers local patrol officers to identify and mentor youth, new Mainers, and other local
community members who may make excellent future police officers.
74 The Sentencing Project. (2008). Reducing Racial Disparity in the Criminal Justice System, A Manual for
Practitioners and Policymakers. Washington, D.C. https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/reducing-racial-
disparity-criminal-justice-system-manual
75 Abdurraqib, S. (April 26, 2021). City of Portland Racial Equity Steering Committee, Full Report. https://content.
civicplus.com/api/assets/41c75af1-d867-4dc0-b4af-39af4a6470d8

South Portland
Recommendations for South Portland Police
Department, City of South Portland, and Strategic
Partners
National best practices recommend community-based models for crisis response and
community policing models as a way to reduce racial disparities. In addition, providing
supports and appropriate responses for individuals experiencing homelessness minimizes
the homelessness-jail cycle. The city of South Portland and South Portland PD currently
fund and implement a number of best practices in community-based policing and crisis
response which should be expanded and leveraged to address disparities. Many of these
same recommendations were also outlined in detail in the South Portland Police Services
Review Working Group report; this study provides more data to support these needs in
South Portland to help reduce disparities.
06. Expand capacity for community-based crisis response.
In 2020, the Vera Institute of Justice published a comprehensive overview of alternative

models of crisis response which outlines the various options for internal police crisis
response teams, co-response options, and community-based models.76 All South Portland
PD officers currently receive de-escalation training and Mental Health First Aid. South Port-
land should continue and expand crisis response training77 to prepare police officers to make
referrals and respond appropriately when they do encounter someone with mental health
needs. However, these approaches are police led responses and police co-response
options as outlined by the Vera report but are not community-based models. The city
of South Portland should consider ways to enhance the community-based models available
in Portland by expanding and prioritizing mobile crisis response teams that are external to
the police, and free up police resources to focus on issues of public safety.
07. Promote efforts that support and decriminalize homelessness.
With one-tenth of arrests in South Portland involving individuals who were unhoused, this
analysis echoes previously cited national research which demonstrates cycle of homeless-
ness, police interactions, and justice system involvement. The city of South Portland has
recently started contracting with the Homeless Outreach and Mobile Engagement Team
(HOME Team) operated by Milestone Recovery Services. However, given the large number
of arrests and the recent increase in people experiencing homelessness in South Portland,
the city and the South Portland PD should continue to implement additional strategies that
support these individuals and explicitly decriminalize common activities such as loitering,
76 Beck, J., Reuland, M., & Pope, L. (November 2020). Behavioral Health Crisis Alternatives, Shifting from Police to
Community Responses. New York: Vera Institute of Justice. https://www.vera.org/behavioral-health-crisis-alternatives
77 For example the NAMI Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training Program which has been used by departments
statewide.

South Portland
sleeping in public places, and public urination. In addition, as outlined previously, communi-
ty-based response teams and mental health and substance use programs can better support
individuals experiencing homelessness in South Portland. The city should continue to expand
resources with local community-based organizations and the HOME Team to support these
efforts and provide more alternative responses to these issues, including a more permanent
strategy to accommodate overflow from the Portland shelters and expanding access to
public restrooms.
08. Pilot a community-based public safety model
Given the high concentration of BIPOC arrests found in some areas, a community-based
public safety model should be considered in South Portland, particularly in those areas which
are predominantly BIPOC.78 In recent years, many advocacy groups and community leaders
in Maine and nationally have criticized community policing programs because they do not
recognize the historical trauma of over policing BIPOC communities and leave the power to
arrest with the police officer. In contrast, community-based public safety programs empower
local citizens and community-based organizations, which are external to police departments,
with the authority to address minor public safety issues and partner with or refer to police
departments as they see fit. In South Portland, a new community-based, citizen-led program
could help to ameliorate the observed racial disparities while also maintaining a partnership
for larger issues. Given the findings in this study, the city should focus on piloting these
programs in areas where there is a high concentration of arrests and among Black or African
American and Latinx individuals (Patrol Areas 6 and 7). The Urban Institute79 published a
guide on community-driven safety initiatives which outlines key considerations and funding
models, as well as examples of similar initiatives in other cities.
78 A community-based safety model was also recommended by the City of Portland’s Racial Equity Steering
Committee (Abdurraqib, 2021).
79 Sakala, L., Harvell, S., & Thomson, C. (November 2018). Public Investment in Community-Driven Safety Initiatives,
Landscape Study and Key Considerations. Washington, D.C.: Urban Institute. https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/
publication/99262/public_investment_in_community-driven_safety_initiatives_1.pdf

Appendices
Appendix A: Population Data Tables (Adults, Juveniles,

Drivers)
Table 17
Adult (18+) Population Data and Weighted Average
MAINE SOUTH PORTLAND SPPD
(U.S. CENSUS) (U.S. CENSUS) ADJUSTED AVG.
Total 18+ Population (2020) 1,089,858 21417
GENDER
Men 48.4% 48.5% 48.4%
Women 51.6% 51.5% 51.6%
RACE/ETHNICITY
BIPOC 6.3% 11.2% 10.1%
Black or African American 1.2% 4.3% 3.5%
Asian/Pacific Islander 1.1% 2.7% 2.3%
Native American/Indigenous 0.6% 0.6% 0.5%
Latinx/Hispanic 1.5% 2.6% 2.2%
Two or More Races 2.1% 2.0% 2.1%
Some Other Race 0.3% 0.6% 0.5%
White, Not Hispanic 93.7% 88.8% 89.9%
AGE
18–24 9.9% 14.3% 12.0%
25–29 7.4% 9.4% 9.8%
30–39 14.5% 14.1% 15.6%
40–49 14.8% 13.8% 14.3%
50–59 18.5% 18.6% 17.7%
60 or older 34.9% 29.8% 30.7%

APPENDICES
South Portland
Table 18
Juvenile (Under 18) Population Data and Weighted Averages
Total Population Under 18

250,967 4,248
(2020)
GENDER
Boys 51% 57% 53.8%
Girls 49% 43% 46.2%
RACE/ETHNICITY
BIPOC 12% 20% 19.7%
Black or African American 2% 9% 8.7%
Asian/Pacific Islander 1% 1% 1.7%
Native American/Indigenous 1% 0% 0.5%
Latinx/Hispanic 3% 6% 4.2%
Two or More Races 5% 5% 5.5%
White, Not Hispanic 88% 80% 80.3%
AGE
Under 5 years 25% 21% 24.6%
5–9 years 28% 22% 24.8%
10–14 years 29% 36% 31.7%
15–17 years 18% 21% 18.9%

APPENDICES
South Portland
Table 19
Driver (Age 15+) Population Data and Weighted Averages
Total 15+ Population (2020) 1,135,578 22,311
GENDER
Men/Boys 48.5% 47.5% 48.2%
Women/Girls 51.5% 52.5% 51.8%
RACE/ETHNICITY
BIPOC 6.4% 12.1% 10.2%
Black or African American 1.2% 5.2% 3.6%
Asian/Pacific Islander 1.2% 2.6% 2.2%
Native American/Indigenous 0.6% 0.6% 0.5%
Latinx/Hispanic 1.5% 2.7% 2.1%
Two or More Races 2.2% 1.9% 2.2%
White, Not Hispanic 93.6% 87.9% 89.8%
AGE
15–17 4.0% 4.0% 3.8%
18–24 9.5% 13.7% 11.4%
25–29 7.1% 9.0% 9.2%
30–39 13.9% 13.6% 14.9%
40–49 14.2% 13.2% 13.8%
50–59 17.7% 17.8% 17.1%
60 or older 33.5% 28.6% 29.9%

APPENDICES
South Portland
Appendix B: South Portland Police Department Patrol Areas (Beat Map)
A B C D E F G H I J K
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Sources: Esri, DeLorme, HERE, USGS, Intermap, increment P Corp., NRCAN, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri (Thailand), TomTom
A B C D E F G H I J K
A
A St
Acorn Ln
I2
H5
Atlantic Ave
Augusta St
Aviation Blvd
H2,H3
E4
E2
Bishop Ave
Blue Star Memorial Hwy
Blueberry Dr
F3;G3
F2;G2
G6
Bulkeley Rd
Burhnam St
Burwell Ave
D2
H3
E4
Christopher Toppi Dr
Church St
Churchill Rd
C3
G3
I3
Cox St
Craggmere Ave
Cranberry Cir
F3
K2
G6
Dracut St
Dresser Rd
Drew Rd
G3
G5;H5
K3
F
F St
Fairlawn Ave
I2
J3
Gerry Ave
Glasgow Rd
Glen Way
E4;F4
E5
E3
Hereford Ave
Higgins Ln
High St
F3,4
H4;I4
J1,2
Jetport Runway
John Roberts Rd
Jordan Ave
A6;D1,2;F2 Ledge Rd
C3;D3
J3
Ledgefield Cir
Lee Ave
K2
G4
G3
Market St
Marriner St
Marsh Rd
I2
J2
J3
North Marriner St
Northeast Lane
Noyes St
J1-3
H4
E4
Paper Bonnybrier Rd
Paper Brenton St
Paper Elsmere Cir
G4
I3
K2
Pillsbury St
Pine Haven Ter
Pine Heaven Ct
K2
E5
E5
Roberts St
Robinson St
Roger Rd
H4,5
H3
J2
Ship Channel Rd
Simmons Rd
Sixth St
K2,3
I3,4
J2
Strout St
Summerglen Rd
Summit St
F3;G3
I3,4
K2;J2
Victory Ave
Villa Rd
Vincent St
K2,3
E4
J2
Willow St
Wilson St
Wilson St
K2
E4;F4
F4
THE CITY OF SOUTH PORTLAND
Acton St
Adam St
F3
K1
B
B St I2
Bluff Rd
Bodge St
K2
G3
Buttonwood St
C
H3 City Line Dr
Clarks Pond Pkwy
D1
D3
Crescent Ave
Crestview Dr
J2
G5
Duck Pond Rd
Dunphe Dr
F4
H4
Fellows St
Fern Ln
E3
K2
Glendale Rd
Gooseberry Cir
I4
G6
Highland Ave
Hill St
G4-6;H4;I3,4;J3
G3;H4
Julia St
Juniper Cir
H4
G5
Leighton St
Lemont Ave
K2,3
G3
Massachusetts Ave
Mast Ln
D4;E4,5
J2
Nutter Rd
O
H4 Paper Hamlin St
Paper Hillside St
J4
J2
Pine St
Pitt St
J1,2
J3
Romano Rd
Roosevelt St
G4;H4
J2
Skillings St
Skyline Rd
F3,4
J2
Summit Ter
Sunset Ave
J2
F4
Virginia Ave
Vista Dr
J2
G5
Winding Way
Winterberrry St
G6
G5;H5 Cumberland County, Maine
Police Patrol Districts

Adams Ct E4 Bagley Ave H3 Bonnybank Ter G3,4 C St I2 Clemons St J2,3 Cross St F3 Dyer St J1 Fessenden St J3;I3 Gorham Rd C2,3;D3 Hillcrest Ave H5 K Lincoln St F2;G2,3 Mayberry St I3 O' Hare Rd D2 Paper Hudson Rd I3 Pleasant Ave F4;G3,4 Rosedale Ave G4 Smith St K2 Surfsite Rd K1,2 Vivian St J3 Wisteria Way H3,4
Adelbert St I4 Baird Cir E4 Bonnybriar Rd G3,4 Calais St F3;G3 Cleveland Cir G4;H4 Crossmeadow Rd G6 Dyke Farm Rd E3,4 Fickett St H4,5 Goudy St K2,3 Hillside Ave J3 Kahill Ct G4 Lincoln St Ext G3 McKinley St H4 O' Neil St J3 Paper James St K1 Plymouth Rd I3 Rosetti Ave F3 Smokehouse Cir G6 Sylvan Rd I4 Vocational Dr K1 Woodbury St K2,3
Albany St E4 Ballard St H2 Boothby Ave I3;J3 Candlebrook Ln H5 Cliff Ave K3 Cumberland Rd G4;H4 E Files St I4 Graffam Rd K2 Hinckley Dr I2 Kaler Rd J4 Linton St E3 McLean St E4;F4 Oak St J1 Paper Lawn Ave G3 Pond Rd K2 Rosewood St I3 Snowberry Dr G6 T W Woodland Rd K3
Albany St E4,5 Balsam Rd D3;E3,4 Border Rd C4 Cannon Rd D2 Clifford St I4 Cummings Rd A1,2;B2; E St I2 Fillmore Ave E4 Granby Rd E3,4 Hobart St E3 Karynel Dr H4 Lombard St G3;H3 Meadow Way E4 Oakdale Ave I3 Paper Lawn Ave G4 Pope Ave D2 Rothay Ave F3 Sokokis St E3 T Ledge Dr H3;I3 Wainright Cir E D2 Woodmoor Rd I4
Albany St Ext E4,5 Baltimore Ave I3;H4 Boston St D4;E4 Cannon Rd E2 Clinton St K2,3 Curtis St G3 Edgewood Rd K3 Fisherman's Ln K2 Grand St K1,2;J2 Holden St F3 Katana Dr F3 Long Creek Dr D2 Mechanic St H2 Oakwood Dr E3 Paper Lawn Ave& Proposed G3 Portland St J1 Rumery St F3,4 Somerset St J3 Tamarack Dr G6 Wainright Cir W D2 Wylie St I3
Alder St K2 Bangor St E4 Bowdoin Ave G3 Card Ct E2 Cloyster Rd K2 Cushing Ct K1 Edmund S Muskie St J1 Florence St J3 Grandview Ave F4 Homestead Ave J2,3 Kelley St H3 Loveitt St K2 Memory Ln E4 Ocean St I2-4;J4 Paper Memory Lane E4 Postal Service Way C4;D4 Running Hill Rd B2,3;C2 Soule St I2 Tanner St H3 Walker St J3 Wythburn Rd E4;F3,4
Alfred St
Allen Rd
G4,5;H4
H4
Barberry Creek Rd
Barnstable Rd
H3
G6
Bowers St
Boyd Rd
J2
K2,3
Cardiff Way
Carignan Ave
G5 Coach Rd
E4;F4 Cobb St
E3
J2
D
D St I2
Edwards St
Edwin St
J3 Foden Rd
H4,5 Fore River Rd
C2;D2
E3;F3
Greeley St
Greenbriar Way
I4
I3,4;H4
Hoyt St
Hudson Rd
H3
I3
Kenneth Rd
Kent Rd
F3
J3
Loveitt's Field Rd
Lowell St
K2
K2
Mildred St
Miller-Doil Dr
H3
D2
Ocean View Ave
Old Bog Rd
K2
G5
Paper Memory Lane
Paper Unnamed St
F4
G3
Powers Rd
Preble St
D2;E2
K1-3;J1
Runway Rd
S
E5 South Kelsey St
South Richland St
H3
J3
Taylor St
Thadeus St
J2
G3,4;F4
Wallace Ave
Walnut St
E5
J2,3
PROVIDED BY:
Alpine St
Alton St
I3
F3;G3
Barstow St
Bay Rd
J2
K2
Boysenberry Dr
Braeburn Ave
G6
E4
Carlisle Rd
Carroll St
G5
J3
Colchester Dr
Cole St
G5
H3
Danforth Rd
Daniel P Tuell St
K3
E4
Elderberry Dr
Eliot St
G6 Forest Ave
D4;E4 Fort Rd
H3
K1
Grove Ave
Hall St
H3
E3
Hunnewell Rd
Huntress Ave
F4;G4
F3;G3
Keswick Rd
Kincaid St
E4
J1
Lubec St
Lydia Ln
F3,4
E2
Minott St
Mitchell Rd
H3
J3
Old Farm Road
Olive Rd
G6
J3
Paper Unnamed St
Paper Vincent St
H3
J2
Preble St Ext
Presidents Way
K1
H4
Sable Oaks Dr
Sand Pebble Way
B2;C2
K2
Southborough Dr
Southeast Rd
B3;C3
F3;G3
Third St
Thirlmere Ave
J2
E4
Washington Ave
Waterman Dr
H4
I2,3
SOUTH PORTLAND
Anchor Rd
Anchorage Pl
I3
I2
Bay View Ave
Bayberry Way
J2:K2 Breakwater Ct
H3 Breakwater Dr
K1
K1
Carter St
Carver Blvd
H3
G2
Colin Kelly Rd
Colonial Ave
D2;E2
I3
Darling Ave
Dartmouth St
C2;D2
F4;G4
Elizabeth Taylor Ln
Elm St
G3,4 Fort Rd
H2,3 Franklin Ter
K1,2
K2
Hamilton St
Hanson St
H3;I3
I3
Hutchinson St
I
G3 Kincaid St
Kingston Rd
J2
G3,4
M
MacArthur Cir E D2
Monroe St
Morse St
J1
H3
Orchard St
Orlando St
K3
F3
Paper W Street
Park Ave
F3
G3
Prides Rd
Private Hoffman Ln
E3
F4
Sandy Hill Rd
Sawyer Brook Circle
E3,4
J3
Southwell Ave
Spear Ave
F4;E4
I4
Thomas St
Thompson St
I2
J2;K2
Webster Ct
Wermuth Rd
J1
D2;E2
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
A6;B;C3,4;
Angell Ave K2,K3 Bayberry Way H4 Bremen St F3 Casco Bay Bridge I2,3 Colony Ln E3 Davis St K2,3;J3 Elmwood Ave I3 Frederick Rd K2 Harbor View Ave I3 I-295
D3;E2;F2,3 Kirkland Ave F4 MacArthur Cir N D2 Mosher St J1 Osborne Ave H3 Park Ave G4 Providence Ave J3 Sawyer St J1-4;I4 Sprague St J2 Thornton Ave E4 Wescott Rd E3,4;F3
Appletree Dr G5 Beach St K1,2 Brenton St I3 Cash St F3,4 Columbus Ave I3 Dawson St F3 Elsmere Ave K2,3 Free St J1 Harding St F3;J2 I-95 B2,3;C1,2 Kittredge Rd K2 MacArthur Cir S D2,3 Mountainview Rd H4 Osborne Ave H3;I3 Parkside Ter I2 Q Scamman St I3 Spring Point Dr K1 Todd Ln K1 Westbrook St D2,3;E2-4
Applewood Cir I4 Beaufort St J3 Briarwood Rd D3,4 Cedar St J3 Commercial St E5 Day St K2 Emerald Dr E5 Front St J1 Hartford Ct J1 Industry Rd E5 L MacArthur Cir W D2 Mt Vernon St I3 P Parrott St J3 Q St I2 Scarborough Connector D3,4;E4 Spring St J2;K2 Tremont St F4 Western Ave C1,2;D1-3
Ardsley Ave E4;F4 Bellaire Rd I3 Brickhill Ave E2 Chambers Ave G3,4 Concord St D4 Daytona St F3 Emery St J2 Froswick Ave E4;F4 Haskell Ave F3 International Pkwy E1 Lahave St K2 Madison St K1 MTA Approach Rd B3;C3;D3,4;E4 Paddock Pl E4 Pearl St H3 R School St J1,2 Springwood Rd E4 U Whispering Pines H4,5
Arlington Rd
Armory Rd
J3
I3
Bellevue Ave K2;J2
Benjamin W. Pickett St K1
Brigham St
Brindle Cir
E3
G6
C3;D3,4;F3;G3;
Channel Rd
Chapel St
K2
H3
Coolidge Ave
Cooper St
K2
I3
Deake St
Delaware Ave
K2
D4;E4
Erskine Dr
Evans St
I2 Froswick Ave
G3;H4 G
F4 Haven Rd
Haven Rd
J2,3
J3
J
Jackson St F2;G2
Lake St
Landry Cir
G3
E4
Main St
Maine Mall Rd
F3,4;E4,5;G2,3 Mussey St
B3;C1-3 Myrtle Ave
J2
K1,2
Palmer St
Pamela Dr
H2
G4
Peary Ter
Pennsylvania Ave
G3 Rainbow Ave
D4;E4,5 Randall St
G3
J1
Schooner Rd
Scott Dr
J3,4
A2
Spurwink Ave
Stanford St
J4 Union St
J1,2 Unknown (private)
F4 Whitehall Ave
A2;G5,6;H4;I4
Whitworth Dr
G3
I4 DATE REVISION
Arrowood Ct I3 Bennett St I3 Broadway Chapman St G3 Cormier Rd J3 Derby Rd I3 Evans St Ext H4 Gannett Dr A2;B2 Hawthorne Ln H5
H3;I2,3;J1,2K1 Jefferson St J1 Larchwood Rd I3,4 Maple St J2 N Pamela Dr H4 Pepperbush Cir G6 Reynolds St H3 Scott Rd F3 Stanley St I3 Unnamed Way F3 Wild Rose Ave I3
Artubus Ave H3;I3 Berwick St D4;E4 Brookside Ave K2 Charlotte St K3 Cornell St E4 Devereaux Cir D2;E2 Everett Ave J2,K2 Garfield Cir H4 Heather Rd J3 Jennies Ct H4 Latham St H3 Maplewood Ave I3 Nelson Rd H4 Paper Adams St K1 Philbrook Ave C2,3 Rhode Island Ave E4,5 Second St J2 Sterling Ave J3 V Willard Haven Pk K2
04/2014 UPDATED GIS LAYER WITH ROUTE INFO

Ashbourne Ct H4,5 Beverly St J2 Bryant St H4;G4 Chase St J2;K2 Cottage Rd I2;J2,3;K2,3 Dimar Dr H4 Evergreen Rd E3 Gary L Maietta Parkway G6 Hemco St F4;G4 Jessica Lane G5 Laurel Ln E3 Marcelle Ave E4 New York Ave D4;E5 Paper Alder St K2 Philippis Rd K3 Richards St I4 Settler Rd D3,4;E3,4 Stillman St I4 Vacated Evergreen Rd G4 Willard Haven Rd K2
Ashley Rd E4 Billy Varhon Dr F2;G2 Buchanan St H4 Checkerberry Cir G6 Country Club Dr B2 Discontinued Chambers Ave G4 Evergreen Rd Ext E3 Gately St F3;G2,3 Henley St J1 Jetport Blvd D1 Lawn Ave G3 Mardale Ave F3,4 Norman St J4 Paper Alpine St I3 Pierce St J1 Ridgeland Ave G3 Settler Rd E3 Stone Dr K3 Valley St H3 Willard St K2
Aspen Ave E4 Birch Rd K2 Bud Ave E5 Chestnut St H3 Cove Ln K2 Donald B Dean Dr C4;D3 Exton Ave F3,4 George St G4 Henry St K2 Jetport Plaza Rd C1,2;D2;E2 Lawrence St J3 Margaret St J2,3 North Kelsey St H3 Paper Bartch Rd G4 Pilgrim Rd H4;I4 Robert Mills Rd F3 Shelby Ln I3 Strathmore Rd J3 Vermont Ave D4;E4 Williston Rd H4
11/2007 UPDATE SHEET LIST

APPENDICES
South Portland
Appendix C: South Portland PD Arrests Chi-Square
Results Tables
Table 20
South Portland PD Adult Population Estimate Compared to the South Portland
PD Arrest Records Sample, All Years, Maine Residents Only
CHI-SQUARE RESULTS N X2 DF P-VALUE

BIPOC 2244 223.412 1 <.001
Black or African American 2244 901.97 1 <.001
Latinx or Hispanic 2244 18.186 1 <.001

Asian/Pacific Islander 2244 12.013 1 <.001
Native American/Indigenous 2244 6.052 1 0.014
Men 2244 361.104 1 <.001
18–24 2244 248.613 1 <.001
25–29 2244 195.824 1 <.001
30–39 2244 214.828 1 <.001
UNDER 40 2244 910.798 1 <.001
40–49 2244 4.482 1 0.034
50–59 2244 80.471 1 <.001
60 or older 2244 673.179 1 <.001
Table 21
South Portland PD Juvenile Arrest Records Compared to the Juvenile
Population, All Years, Maine Residents Only

Boys 278 0.086 1 0.769
BIPOC 278 42.503 1 <.001

Table Notes: A p-value of .05 or less indicates a
Asian/Pacific Islander 278 0.016 1 0.899
statistically significant result. A statistically signifi-
Latinx/Hispanic 278 2.534 1 0.111 cant result indicates that the observed differences
between the population estimate and the arrest
10–14 years 278 2.057 1 0.152
dataset are greater than we might expect by
15–17 years 278 503.383 1 <.001 chance alone.

APPENDICES
South Portland
Appendix D: South Portland Residents Adult Arrest Rates
Average annual arrest rates represent the average number of individuals in each group arrested in the city of South
Portland each year out of 100 people in that group. Rates were calculated by dividing the total number of arrests by
3, then dividing by the total population for each group and multiplying by 100 ((total arrests subgroup/3)/total popu-
lation subgroup*100).
Table 22
South Portland Annual Average Adult Arrest Rates by Gender, Race, and Age (18+ Population)
South Portland Population SPPD Adult Arrests Sample Average Annual Rate
N % N % (per 100)
Total 18+ Population (2020) 21,417 879 1.4
GENDER
Male 9,955 46% 612 70% 2
Female 11,462 54% 267 30% 0.8
RACE/ETHNICITY
BIPOC 2,396 11% 187 21% 2.6
Black or African American 921 4% 146 17% 5.3
Asian/Pacific Islander 568 3% 14 2% 0.8
Native American/Indigenous 125 1% 2 0% 0.5
Latinx/Hispanic 562 3% 30 3% 1.8
White, Not Hispanic 19,021 89% 692 79% 1.2
AGE
18–24 3,059 14% 172 20% 1.9
25–29 2,018 9% 148 17% 2.4
30–39 3,025 14% 230 26% 2.5
40–49 2,953 14% 152 17% 1.7
50–59 3,981 19% 116 13% 1
60 or older 6,381 30% 61 7% 0.3

APPENDICES
South Portland
Table 23
South Portland Annual Average Adult Arrest Rates Black or African American Individuals Compared to White (18+
Population)
Black or African American Individuals White Individuals
So. Portland Population Arrests Annual Rate Per 100 So. Portland Population Arrests Annual Rate Per 100
MEN 480 110 7.6 8,798 464 1.8

18–24 128 24 6.3 1,125 82 2.4
25–29 79 21 8.9 868 70 2.7
30–34 70 22 10.5 754 63 2.8
35–44 74 19 8.6 1,134 100 2.9
45–64 129 23 5.9 2,947 123 1.4
65+ 0 1 1,970 26 0.4
WOMEN 441 36 2.7 10,223 228 0.7

18–24 156 3 0.6 1,381 52 1.3
25–29 129 7 1.8 743 41 1.8
30–34 0 2 555 31 1.9
35–44 0 19 1,189 51 1.4
45–64 156 5 1.1 3,648 42 0.4
65+ 0 2,707 11 0.1

APPENDICES
South Portland
Appendix E: South Portland PD Traffic Data Chi-
Square Results Tables
Table 24
South Portland PD Traffic Citations Compared to the South Portland PD
Population Estimate of Drivers, Maine Residents Only, All Years

Men 3722 235.685 1 <.001
BIPOC 3652 9.544 1 0.002

Asian/Pacific Islander 3652 44.819 1 <.001
Latinx/Hispanic 3652 76.307 1 <.001
15–17 3820 15.927 1 <.001
18–24 3820 238.766 1 <.001
25–29 3820 121.467 1 <.001
30–39 3820 293.149 1 <.001
40–49 3820 18.968 1 <.001
50–59 3820 92.014 1 <.001
60 or older 3820 787.744 1 <.001
Note: A p-value of .05 or less indicates a statistically significant result. A statistically significant result indicates
that the observed differences observed differences between the population estimate and the traffic stops
dataset are greater than we might expect by chance alone.

APPENDICES
South Portland
Appendix F: South Portland PD Logistic Models for
Multiple Regression Analysis
Table 25
Logistic Regression Final Model Results for the Arrested Individual Being
Black/Latinx
ARRESTED INDIVIDUAL
BEING BLACK/LATINX B S.E. WALD DF SIG. EXP(B)
Male 0.785 0.128 37.538 1 0 2.193
Age -0.032 0.005 43.59 1 0 0.968
Unhoused -0.572 0.208 7.545 1 0.006 0.564

Officer's Age 0.016 0.007 4.894 1 0.027 1.016
Patrol Area 4 -0.586 0.156 14.061 1 0 0.557
Patrol Area 7 0.575 0.119 23.401 1 0 1.776
Daylight -0.372 0.114 10.595 1 0.001 0.69
Constant -1.432 0.315 20.702 1 0 0.239
Table Notes:
This logistic regression model was the final model testing Black/Latinx as the dependent variable. Many vari-
ables were tested (such as gender, race, age, location, time of day) but only the variables which were found to
be significant are included in the table above.
This logistic regression model showed that the above variables were all significantly associated with the arrest-
ed individual being Black or Latinx (X2(7)=179.780, p<.001). These variables explained 11.2%(RW) of the variance
in the race/ethnicity and correctly predicted 81.6% of the cases.
The odds of the arrestee being Black or Latinx increased when the individual was male, and the incident
occurred in Patrol Area 7. The odds also increased with the officer's age, meaning the older the officer the
greater the odds of the individual being Black or Latinx. The odds of an individual being Black or Latinx de-
creased when the individual was unhoused, with their age, and when the incident occurred in Patrol Area 4 or
during the day.

APPENDICES
South Portland
Table 26
Multiple Logistic Regression Model Results for Multiple Charges Requested
MULTIPLE CHARGES
REQUESTED B S.E. WALD DF SIG. EXP(B)
Male 0.212 0.1 4.486 1 0.034 1.236
Unhoused 0.525 0.14 14.112 1 0 1.691
Time 9:00 PM to 11:59 PM 0.438 0.133 10.908 1 0.001 1.55

Time 3:00 AM to 5:59 AM 0.463 0.211 4.798 1 0.028 1.589
Constant -1.289 0.087 220.19 1 0 0.276
Table Notes:
This logistic regression model was the final model testing Multiple Charges as the dependent variable. Many
variables were tested (such as gender, race, age, location, time of day) but only the variables which were found
to be significant are included in the table above.
This logistic regression model showed that the variables above were all significantly associated with multiple
charges being requested (X2(4)=35.755, p=.000). These variables explained 2.0%(R2) of the variance and cor-
rectly predicted 73.2% of the cases.
The odds of an individual receiving more than one charge increased when the individual was male, unhoused,
and when the incident occurred between the hours of 9 pm and 11:59 pm, or between 3:am and 5:59 am. Note
race was not found to be significant in the models.

APPENDICES
South Portland
Table 27
Logistic Regression Results, South Portland PD Traffic Stops, Results for Driver
Being Black or African American
DRIVER IS BLACK OR
AFRICAN AMERICAN B S.E. WALD DF SIG. EXP(B)
Male 0.619 0.141 19.396 1 0 1.857
Driver's Age -0.022 0.005 19.424 1 0 0.978
Officer's Age -0.023 0.009 5.87 1 0.015 0.978

Patrol Area 6 0.524 0.159 10.835 1 0.001 1.69
Patrol Area 7 0.954 0.145 43.428 1 0 2.597
Time 9:00 PM to 11:59 PM 0.792 0.233 11.577 1 0.001 2.208
Time 12:00 AM to 2:59 AM 1.093 0.184 35.141 1 0 2.984
Time 3:00 AM to 5:59 AM 0.836 0.347 5.797 1 0.016 2.306
Constant -1.931 0.392 24.275 1 0 0.145
Time 12AM to 3AM 0.192 0.084 5.172 1 0.023 1.211

Constant -2.551 0.109 551.939 1 0 0.078
Table Notes:
This logistic regression model showed that the above variables were all significantly associated with the driver
being Black or African American (X2(8)=168.190, p=.000). These variables explained 10.2%(R2) of the variance in
the race/ethnicity and correctly predicted 91.9% of the cases.
The odds of the driver being Black or African American increased when the driver was male, when the incident
occurred in Patrol Areas 6 or 7, and when it occurred at night between the hours of 9:00 pm and 5:59 am.
The odds decreased slightly with the drivers age and the officer’s age, meaning the younger the driver and the
younger the officer the less likely the driver was to be Black or African American.

About The Project & Partners
This project was developed by the cities of Portland and South Portland and their Police
Departments in collaboration with the University of Southern Maine, Catherine Cutler Insti-
tute and the Northeastern University, Institute on Race and Justice. The project was funded
by the cities of Portland and South Portland and the Roux Institute at Northeastern Univer-
sity. The goal of this project was to examine and analyze available data to determine if there
was evidence of disproportionate police activities in either city.
The Catherine Cutler Institute is the research arm of the Muskie School of Public Service
at the University of Southern Maine. The Catherine Cutler Institute has a long history of
collaborating with local, state, and national partners to examine and find solutions to critical
societal issues. For more information about the Catherine Cutler Institute visit usm.maine.
edu/cutler.
The Institute on Race and Justice (IRJ) is based at Northeastern University’s School of Crim-
inology and Criminal Justice. The IRJ utilizes social science research methods to support
partners in the development of policy changes which advance the cause of social justice. For
more information about the IRJ visit cssh.northeastern.edu/irj.


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December 2022

Assessing Arrest & Traffic Stop

Jack McDevitt, PhD, Northeastern University

George Shaler, MPH, University of Southern Maine

Sarah Goan, MPP, University of Southern Maine

Stephen Abeyta, PhD Candidate, Northeastern University

Carlos Cuevas, PhD, Northeastern University

Layout and Design

Becky Wurwarg, University of Southern Maine

Assessing Arrest & Traffic Stop Patterns ii

About This Report

Summary of Key Findings

Samples and Population Estimates

Data & Analysis Limitations

Detailed Findings: South Portland Police Data Analysis 9

South Portland PD Traffic Citations, 2018-2020

Conclusion & Recommendations 28

Recommendations for South Portland Police Department

Recommendations for South Portland Police Department, City of South Portland,

Appendix B: South Portland Police Department Patrol Areas (Beat Map)

Appendix C: South Portland PD Arrests Chi-Square Results Tables

Appendix D: South Portland Residents Adult Arrest Rates

Appendix E: South Portland PD Traffic Data Chi-Square Results Tables

Appendix F: South Portland PD Logistic Models for Multiple Regression Analysis

Assessing Arrest & Traffic Stop Patterns iii

Assessing Arrest & Traffic Stop Patterns 1

Assessing Arrest & Traffic Stop Patterns 2

BLACK OR AFRICAN AMERICAN INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCE DISPARITIES IN ARRESTS

THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF ARRESTS OCCURRED IN THE MAINE MALL/SOUTH PORT-

Assessing Arrest & Traffic Stop Patterns 3

CRIMINAL TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS AND OUI’S REPRESENTED 42% OF ALL ARRESTS IN

BLACK OR AFRICAN AMERICAN DRIVERS EXPERIENCE DISPARITIES IN TRAFFIC CITA-

Assessing Arrest & Traffic Stop Patterns 4

Data Extraction and Analysis

Assessing Arrest & Traffic Stop Patterns 5

Race The Portland-South Portland Metro Area

The various data extracts resulted in multiple datasets (Table Table 1

Drivers (15+) 1,135,578 57,948 22,311

Assessing Arrest & Traffic Stop Patterns 7

Assessing Arrest & Traffic Stop Patterns 8

South Portland Police Department

Assessing Arrest & Traffic Stop Patterns 9

SOUTH PORTLAND PD PATROL AREA ARRESTS

Assessing Arrest & Traffic Stop Patterns 10

Map of Total Number of Arrests in South Portland by Census Tract, 2018-2020

4–7 = South Portland PD Patrol Area

0–0 11–14 51–57

Assessing Arrest & Traffic Stop Patterns 11

SOUTH PORTLAND PD PATROL AREA BLACK OR LATINX WHITE

4 Ferry Village/SMCC/Knightville 70 15.1% 610 29.9%^

Out of Town 9 1.9% 50 2.4%

Assessing Arrest & Traffic Stop Patterns 12

4-7 = Portland PD Patrol Area

0–0 5–6 13–14

Assessing Arrest & Traffic Stop Patterns 13

the arresting officer. % N

Other Charges 5.0% 139

Assessing Arrest & Traffic Stop Patterns 14

35 See the methods section for more information.

Assessing Arrest & Traffic Stop Patterns 15

South Portland Residents Overall, 1.4

Black/African American, 5.3

White, Not Hispanic, 1.2

Native American/Indigenous, 0.8

Detailed Findings: South Portland Police Data Analysis 9

Conclusion & Recommendations 28