NYPD Pats Down 4 Millionth Customer, As Stop-And-Frisks Increase By 13%

They're watching over us (Runs With Scissors)

It's continuing to be a banner year for street shakedowns as the NYPD has stopped 514,000 people through September 2011, 13% higher than 2010. According to the NYCLU, 4 million people have been stopped since the program began in 2004. Did the lucky 4 millionth customer win a wheelbarrow full of NYPD swag? Were they allowed to keep their dignity and take a photo with NYPD's stop-and-frisk mascot, Patty, The Firm Hand Of Justice?

Despite the fact that the overwhelming majority of those stopped are people of color, NYPD spokesman Paul Browne tells the Daily News that the stops are fair, and save lives: "Police stops comport proportionately with violent crime and save lives, most of young minority men who are disproportionately the victims of murder and other violent crime."

The NYCLU report notes that "All five precincts with the fewest stop-and-frisk encounters are concentrated below 59th Street in Manhattan and are majority white," including the Financial District and the West Village. "Racially biased policing undermines trust between residents and police, harming public safety," executive director of the NYCLU Donna Lieberman says in a release. "It’s time to hold the NYD accountable for its unlawful and destructive stop-and-frisk practices.”

That's what Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, along with State Sen. Eric Adams, City Councilmen Juumane Williams and Ydanis Rodriguez are attempting to do by asking the federal government to probe the NYPD's stop-and-frisk policy.

Besides making people late for dinner, the stops are excellent at procuring low-level marijuana arrests. NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly recently reminded his department that marijuana is decriminalized when not in public view, but this directive seems counterintuitive if more stop and frisks keep exposing your stash to the harsh light of day.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Christopher Robbins in News on November 30, 2011 12:18 PM

Comments [rss]

Gadea

NYPD is doing a great job, preventing street crime, muggings, assaults, robberies, etc.,
by conducting Stop & Frisk.
Everybody knows who to be careful of and why.
How many individuals in NYC were arrested for assault, robbery, etc., and what are their
race, nationality?

Disciple_of_MrMet

Also, to add to what you said, where did the majority of these individuals live? I'm pretty sure the answer is not somewhere below 59th street.

"Tim Osman"

All are equal, some are more equal than others

Disciple_of_MrMet

Its not surprising that stop-and-frisks have increased, since street violence has also increased in the neighborhoods that saw an increase in the amount of stop-and-frisks issued. Its simply the police reacting to violent crime. I don't remember the area below 59th street being a hotbed for robberies, rapes, and murders, so why would the NYPD target those areas?
When will the Gothamist stop being the NY Post of the far left?

ktinnyc

Fourth Amendment means nothing to you, huh?

Disciple_of_MrMet

the stop-and-frisks are used for FRISKING not SEARCHING. And when an officer suspects somebody of having a weapon on them they can stop and FRISK them.

Gepap

Too bad officers routinely "interpret" what could be a weapon quite liberally. Also, the extremely low rate of weapons seizures from these frisks seems to show that the police are badly trained in recognizning the threat of hidden weapons correctly.

Kyle Petersen

"the stop-and-frisks are used for FRISKING not SEARCHING." - I watched a Three Stooges marathon this morning and that's the stupidest thing I've heard all day.

ktinnyc

Why I ought to muderize you!

FU Boy

Spread out, you twoze!

FU Boy

"Frisking (also called a patdown or pat down) is a
search of a person's outer clothing"

Wikipedia say it is. You gonna argue with that? How about Miriam Webster:

transitive verb
:
to search (a person) for something (as a concealed weapon) by running the hand rapidly over the clothing and through the pockets

Sulayman

Explain how frisking isn't another word for Search.

Disciple_of_MrMet

A frisk is a pat down, to feel if you have any weapons on you (like what they do at a concert, or sporting event)
A search is going into pockets, searching bags, etc etc.
Explain to me why the people on this site constantly complain about the police not going after violent criminals, and when they do, they still find something to complain about.

Sulayman

So, if they find a lump in your pocket, a they're not allowed to take it out and inspect it? Because they're not allowed to "search" you without a warrant or arrest, right?

Disciple_of_MrMet

If the lump feels like a type of weapon, or something they feel is a danger then they can take it out of your pocket.
After you've been arrested then the complete search takes place.

Sulayman

So, this is different than a Search how? Either way you go through my pockets.

Disciple_of_MrMet

LOL the actual frisk is NOT going through your pockets. If they feel what they believe is a weapon they go into your pockets.

Sulayman

You think that will hold up in court as a defense? Cop could say anything "feels like a weapon," even a money clip.

FIRE

Thank you NYPD, for doing your job and making NYC the safest big city in the United States. Believe it or not, some of us actually appreciate you putting your lives on the line every day. Keep up the good police work.

Signed......... a grateful citizen