We all, as Americans have a right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure. So how is the controversial ‘Stop and Frisk’ law still active? Well it all stems from a case in 1968 Terry V. Ohio, when the Supreme Court ruled it allowable. Since this time ‘Stop and Frisk’ has been used by law enforcement. Since then no other law enforcement agency has been more controversial in its use than the NYPD (New York Police Department).
The NYPD has been using the “Stop and Frisk’ tactic since 1970 in an attempt to curb crime rates. Statistics are hard to come by but the most recent stats between 2002 and 2012 show that over 4,800,000 people were subject to this act and over 4,000,000 of them were innocent. Furthermore over 85% of these subject to this act were either African American or Latino. This is an overwhelming amount that has cause the NYPD to endure a large amount of scrutiny.
The statistics really are hard to believe but it is something we all should be aware of. Especially since the purpose of this is to lower the crime rate. Now I must say that the crime rate in New York has dropped about 29% over the 11 year afore mentioned period. In contrast other cities that do not use this abusive tactic have seen larger decreases over the same period, “39% in Dallas and 59% in Los Angeles” to name a couple.
This being said what exactly does this ‘Stop and Frisk’ tactic entail, and what guidelines are meant to be followed. The ruling in 1968 states that the officer must have “Reasonable Suspicion” in order to use this tactic. This means that the officer has to factually believe that a crime is or is about to occur. This a obviously a very vague description which in some opinions give any officer the freedom to search any person at any time, despite the fact that the officer may have an ulterior motive.
Needless to say this is a very controversial tactic that specifically the NYPD seems to abuse. Now, we have provided the information, it is your turn to join The Conversation and tell us what you think. I have listed links below if you want further information on this law, and any recent developments with regard to it.
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Citations,
"Stop-and-Frisk Data | New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) - American Civil Liberties Union of New York State." Stop-and-Frisk Data | New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) - American Civil Liberties Union of New York State. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Aug. 2013.
"Stop And Frisk Facts | New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) - American Civil Liberties Union of New York State." Stop And Frisk Facts | New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) - American Civil Liberties Union of New York State. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Aug. 2013.
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