The stop and frisk policy is this idea that police officers can stop, question, and pat someone down on the street if there is reasonable suspicion or probable cause that they are committing, have committed, or is in the process of committing a crime. In addition, police officers are able to stop and frisk an individual if they are concerned with the safety of themselves or others. This practice exists as a way to what is supposed to reduce crime rates and help keep communities safe.
However, the stop and frisk policy does not help prevent harm from occurring in communities. According to the New York Civil Liberties Union, studies have shown that the stop and frisk do not actually reduce crime rates. In most of the stops done because of the officers’ beliefs that there is weapon involvement, nothing is usually found, which means that no arrest is made. This means that a lot of the stops done, are done to innocent people. In the New York Civil Liberties Union article, “Stop and Frisk Data”, it even states, “Nearly nine of 10 stopped-and-frisked New Yorkers have been completely innocent.” …show more content…
The New York Civil Liberties Union article, “Stop and Frisk Data”, further mentioned, “In 2015, New Yorkers were stopped by the police 22,939 times. 18,353 were totally innocent (80 percent). 12,223 were black (54 percent). 6,598 were Latino (29 percent). 2,567 were white (11 percent).” It is clear that people are not treated fairly under the stop and frisk policy. However, people can be treated fairly under this policy if we get rid of the negative labels that categorize groups of people as criminals, but it is going to be hard given the fact that these negative labels are already out there and sooner or later, we are going to hear them
However, the stop and frisk policy does not help prevent harm from occurring in communities. According to the New York Civil Liberties Union, studies have shown that the stop and frisk do not actually reduce crime rates. In most of the stops done because of the officers’ beliefs that there is weapon involvement, nothing is usually found, which means that no arrest is made. This means that a lot of the stops done, are done to innocent people. In the New York Civil Liberties Union article, “Stop and Frisk Data”, it even states, “Nearly nine of 10 stopped-and-frisked New Yorkers have been completely innocent.” …show more content…
The New York Civil Liberties Union article, “Stop and Frisk Data”, further mentioned, “In 2015, New Yorkers were stopped by the police 22,939 times. 18,353 were totally innocent (80 percent). 12,223 were black (54 percent). 6,598 were Latino (29 percent). 2,567 were white (11 percent).” It is clear that people are not treated fairly under the stop and frisk policy. However, people can be treated fairly under this policy if we get rid of the negative labels that categorize groups of people as criminals, but it is going to be hard given the fact that these negative labels are already out there and sooner or later, we are going to hear them