Bratenahl officials released traffic‑stop data that shows Black drivers continue to receive a disproportionate share of citations in the affluent lakeside village. The numbers, compiled by The Marshall Project – Cleveland, indicate that Black drivers accounted for roughly 70% of all stops and citations in 2024, about 65% in 2025, and have returned to around 70% through September of this year.
Background and recent scrutiny
For years residents complained that traffic enforcement in Bratenahl targeted Black drivers, dubbing the fines the “Bratenahl tax.” In 2022, a Marshall Project investigation highlighted racial disparities, leading the police department to begin logging driver race in early 2023 and to undergo mandatory anti‑bias training.
Since the village began systematically recording stops in 2024, the data have confirmed the community’s concerns. The village’s Mayor’s Court has collected close to $400,000 in fines, court costs and other revenue from traffic violations during this period.
Official response
Mayor Keith Benjamin acknowledged that the figures do not reflect well on the village’s reputation. “Racial profiling is unacceptable, and a concern about it deserves a careful, respectful review,” he said. He added that even before facts are fully established, the perception of unfair treatment harms trust in the police and the community.
Chief of Police Charles LoBello defended his officers, stating that the stop rates are “truly based on the demographics of people who drive through the village.” He noted that Bratenahl is surrounded by Cleveland and shares a ZIP code with the city’s Glenville neighborhood, one of the poorest areas in the region. LoBello argued that the high proportion of Black drivers reflects the traffic population that passes through the village daily on Interstate 90.
Community reaction
Cleveland Councilman Kevin Conwell, who represents neighborhoods adjacent to Bratenahl, expressed disappointment. “I am not happy about this,” Conwell said, adding that he plans to meet with Mayor Benjamin to discuss corrective steps.
Local residents who attended a recent Mayor’s Court session voiced frustration. Eon Fawcett, who left the court with $345 in fines, said, “There’s no type of justice here. People just get screwed here. Everyone is found guilty.” Another driver, Brandon Shelley, described the stops as a fact of life that “will not change,” noting a $260 payment plan for speeding and expired plates.
Looking ahead
Mayor Benjamin said the village will conduct a thorough review of the stop data and consider the race of the tens of thousands of drivers who travel through Bratenahl each day. “That’s an important missing piece,” he said. “We need to understand the traffic population as well as the decisions officers make.”
The village’s 1,400‑resident community, known for waterfront estates and recent high‑profile purchases by pop star Taylor Swift and NFL player Travis Kelce, faces renewed scrutiny over its traffic‑enforcement practices. As the review proceeds, local leaders and residents alike are watching to see whether policy changes will address the disparities highlighted by the data.
Original reporting: Signal Cleveland — read the source article.
