LIU STATEMENT ON STOP-AND-FRISK RULING

      Comptroller John C. Liu hailed federal Judge Shira Scheindlin’s ruling today, stating the following:

“Judge Scheindlin today ruled what many of us already felt in our hearts — that police subjecting so many people to ‘stop and frisk,’ almost all of whom did nothing wrong, is unbecoming of the free and democratic society that New York City represents.  On this basis alone, even without addressing the racial profiling nature of NYPD stop and frisk, the practice must be abolished.  It’s time to restore trust between the community and police so that New York’s Finest can best keep our City safe, while maintaining the public’s interest in liberty and dignity, as described by Judge Scheindlin.”

Visit www.comptroller.nyc.gov for the latest news, events, and initiatives.
Follow Comptroller Liu on Twitter, YouTube.

STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ

RE: Federal Court Ruling on Stop & Frisk

“The NYPD needs to reassess and revisit their training methods in order to implement programs that residents find helpful, such as ‘Trespassing Affidavit Program,’ in a manner that does not impinge upon state and federal constitutional rights

“I am opposed to the NYPD’s ‘stop & frisk’ program as it is currently constituted.  Yet I know that my constituents have expressed to my office in our 2011 quality of life survey that greater police presence was a high priority to them. In addition, I hear from constituents all the time that they value the ‘Trespassing Affidavit Program,” which could be greatly affected by today’s ruling.

“Not all stops are misused, but many are. I prefer a return to a ‘stop, question & frisk’ program as we had in the past, as it would provide for greater investigation by our police prior to physical contact. The NYPD needs to address policies that will reconcile the desire for greater police presence without the fear of harassment, and I am prepared to work with our police department on such a plan,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.