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Police Treatment in Toronto Marijuana Cases
Government & Civic Records
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About
This dataset details police interactions with individuals arrested in Toronto for the simple possession of small quantities of marijuana, covering the period from 1997 to 2002. It was originally part of a larger data collection featured in a series of articles by the Toronto Star newspaper, designed to highlight racial disparities in marijuana arrests and policing practices within the city. The data allows for examination of factors influencing whether an arrestee was released with a summons.
Columns
- released: Indicates whether the arrested individual was released with a summons. Possible values are 'No' or 'Yes'.
- colour: Represents the arrestee's race. Possible values are 'Black' or 'White'.
- year: The year of the arrest, ranging from 1997 through to 2002.
- age: The age of the arrestee in years.
- sex: The gender of the arrestee. Possible values are 'Female' or 'Male'.
- employed: Indicates whether the arrestee was employed. Possible values are 'No' or 'Yes'.
- citizen: Indicates whether the arrestee was a citizen. Possible values are 'No' or 'Yes'.
- checks: The number of police databases (including previous arrests, convictions, parole status, etc., out of a total of six) on which the arrestee's name appeared.
Distribution
The dataset is provided as a data frame with 5226 individual observations or records. It is available in CSV format and has a file size of approximately 258.37 KB. There are 8 clearly described variables within the dataset.
Usage
This dataset is ideal for a variety of analytical applications, including:
- Exploratory Data Analysis: To uncover patterns and insights related to arrests, demographics, and police procedures.
- Data Storytelling: To create narratives around racial disparities in the criminal justice system.
- Social Science Research: For studies on policing, racial profiling, and public policy impact.
- Policy Analysis: To inform discussions and decisions regarding drug laws and law enforcement practices.
Coverage
The dataset's geographic scope is limited to Toronto, Canada. The time range for the data collection spans 1997 through 2002. Demographic coverage includes information on the arrestee's race (Black and White), sex (Male and Female), and age. The data specifically focuses on individuals arrested for simple possession of small quantities of marijuana.
License
CC0: Public Domain
Who Can Use It
- Academics and Researchers: To conduct studies on criminal justice, racial equity, and urban policing.
- Journalists: To investigate and report on social issues, particularly racial disparities in arrests.
- Policy Makers and Advocates: To understand the societal impact of drug policies and advocate for reforms.
- Data Analysts and Scientists: For general data exploration, statistical modelling, and creating data visualisations.
- Students: As a practical case study for social science, statistics, or data analysis courses.
Dataset Name Suggestions
- Toronto Marijuana Arrests: Racial Disparities
- Marijuana Arrests in Toronto: Race, Release, and Policing (1997-2002)
- Toronto Drug Arrests: Racial Bias Data
- Marijuana Possession Arrests: Toronto (1997-2002)
- Police Treatment in Toronto Marijuana Cases
Attributes
Original Data Source: Police Treatment in Toronto Marijuana Cases
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