Wednesday, 14 August 2013

Commentary: NYPD Can Do Better than Stop and Frisk....

New York's "stop and frisk" policy is unconstitutional, a federal judge ruled on Monday, because it unfairly targets some groups, particularly minorities. Yahoo asked NYC residents and others in large cities for their reactions. Here's one.
COMMENTARY | I'm 18 and reside in the Lower East Side of Manhattan.
I agree with the court's ruling to reform the policy. Living near low-income homes and co-ops, gangs are close, and danger isn't exactly far away from me. However, I notice subjects of the stop and frisk policies are mainly blacks or Hispanics. Because it basically allows an officer to potentially violate any suspicious persons whom they "deem" suspicious, I find it potentially racist and unjustifiable.
Personally, I don't think this policy offered much to stop crime more than it caused citizens to look down upon the NYPD. As a student, I would like other options explored.
So, what would make us safer? More police on the streets, as well as more obvious signs of surveillance. That would act as a deterrent. Police should be better-equipped and trained to handle emergencies. Certain darker areas in the city should have more street lights so that when night falls, criminals would avoid brightly lit locations.

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