Watch the Only Known Recording of NYPD’s Stop-and-Frisk in Action

In order to combat criminal activity on the streets of New York City, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly have increased the amount of “stop-and-frisks” conducted by NYPD by 600%. This policy entails an officer stopping someone who looks “suspicious,” and frisking the person for concealed weapons.

In order to combat criminal activity on the streets of New York City, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly have increased the amount of “stop-and-frisks” conducted by NYPD by 600%. This policy entails an officer stopping someone who looks “suspicious,” and frisking the person for concealed weapons. The majority of those stopped are minorities, and those accused of being suspicious are often not engaged in any illegal activity; in the past ten years, 87% of those stopped during stop-and- frisks in New York City were black or latino, and 90% of those stopped were not engaged in criminal activity. Many officers oppose these practices, but they must conduct stop-and-frisks to meet standard requirements and avoid consequences administered by the police department. One Harlem teenager named Alvin was stopped by police for suspicious activity and recorded the incident on his phone.

Click here to listen to Alvin’s story and learn more about stop and frisks in New York City.

Check out NCCD’s blog on stop-and-frisks here.