Black drivers in Columbia, Jefferson City stopped at higher rates than white drivers, 2025 report shows

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Black drivers in Missouri were once again stopped at higher rates last year than white drivers, according to the the annual Vehicle Stops Report.

The Attorney General's Vehicle Stops Report is due on June 1 each year. It provides data related to vehicle stops statewide, including an index that measures the rate at which drivers of each race are pulled over in relation to their driving-age population.

Data shows the stop rate of Black drivers -- based on the 2024 population – was 47.8%, while white drivers were 28.04%. The total stop rate was 28.93%.

It also shows the arrest rate of Black drivers (5.61%) was higher than white drivers (3.37%). The citation rate was also noticeable with Black drivers having a rate of 51.01% compared to 35.22% for whites. Data also shows white drivers had a higher “contraband hit rate” at 23.79% compared to 20.08% for Black drivers.

Hispanic drivers had a stop rate of 24.41%, while having a 47.83% citation rate and 7.21% arrest rate.

Law enforcement made more stops in 2025 (1,439,086) compared to 2024 (1,282,528).

COLUMBIA

In Columbia, the stop rate for Black drivers (51.72%) was nearly three times the rate of white drivers (14.69%). Both rates increased from 2024, where it was 35.97% for Black drivers and 8.91% for white drivers.

Black drivers (8.01%) were also more likely to be searched than white drivers (3.04%) in 2025 and also saw a higher citation rate of 17.49% compared to 14.82% for white drivers. White drivers (32.02%) had a higher contraband hit rate than Black drivers (24.95%).

The arrest rate for Black drivers (8.26%) in Columbia was more than double the rate of white drivers (3.01%).

Hispanic drivers saw a stop rate of 10.71%, while their arrest rate was 9.13% and a 21.58% citation rate.

JEFFERSON CITY

In Jefferson City, Black drivers had a stop rate of 58.19% compared to 25.93% for white drivers, the data shows. Both figures are lower than it was in the 2024 report, where Black drivers had a 67.08% stop rate and white drivers were at 32.24%.

The arrest rate for Black drivers (1.94%) was slightly higher than white drivers (1.52%). Black drivers had a higher citation rate of 23.72% compared to 20.51% for white drivers, though the contraband rate for white drivers was still higher at 23.39% compared to 20.75% for Black drivers.

Hispanic people had a 22.31% stop rate, a 13.16% contraband hit rate, a 31.69% citation rate and an arrest rate of 0.35%.