The spread of 'stop and frisk'?

Jan 24

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The spread of 'stop and frisk'?

US city of Oakland hires police chief known for the controversial tactic.

William Bratton (R) speaks at a news conference in Los Angeles, California, 05 August 2009. EPA/Paul Buck

On Tuesday, Oakland, California held a city council meeting to discuss the hiring of American law enforcement officer William J. Bratton. Bratton is known for his aggressive adoption of 'stop and frisk' while he was the New York Police Commissioner. 'Stop and frisk' is a controversial practice by which a police officer can question and body search anyone suspected of committing a crime.

View the story "The spread of 'stop and frisk'?" on StorifyThe spread of 'stop and frisk'?US city of Oakland hires police chief known for the controversial tactic. Storified by The Stream· Thu, Jan 24 2013 08:31:44People used #oakmtg to discuss the meeting . #OPD Chief Jordan says that he does not support #StopAndFrisk and wouldn't implement the policy. Why hire Bratton then? #Oakland #OakMtgJoshua DanielsEven though #StopAndFrisk is nowhere on tonight's agenda, it will be a -- the?? -- central topic. #oakmtgmatthai kuruvilaThere are over 260 people to speak tonight on the hot topic. Sh*t might be about to get real. *gets popcorn* #OakMtgFederal CoxOakland Mayor Jean Quan felt differently. She argued, "sometimes you need an outside eye" to respond to Oakland's high crime rate. Student John Osborn tweeted:Even if the #oakland CC decides to waste $250k on #Bratton, it doesn't make stop and frisk a certainty. That battle would come later #oakmtgJohn C. OsbornDespite wide community dissent, Bratton was hired. Most of 240 speakers on #bratton were against.Council voted 7-1 for him.Way to go, democrazy! It's a joke! #TheStopnFriskSeven #oakmtg #ftpleoriot“Bratton is the father of suppression policing,” Oakland resident Jay Donahue said. “He destroys black and brown communities.”politic365.comAnother man speaking says why hire Bratton when he's causing this much discord and anger.. CheersDavey DEven though 'stop and frisk' has been the policy of the New York Police Department for decades, it has recently come under criticism from civil liberties groups and concerned citizens alike for its implementation. Some have taken to YouTube to provide first-person accounts of the practice. Below is the first known documentation of a stop and frisk by the NYPD.

The following video contains profane language.

The Hunted and the Hated: An Inside Look at the NYPD's Stop-and-Frisk PolicyvideonationThe American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) stated: The NYPD’s stop-and-frisk practices raise serious concerns over racial profiling, illegal stops and privacy rights.nyclu.orgThe ACLU has been both reactive (bringing lawsuits forward), but also proactive with a free smartphone app called “Stop and Frisk Watch". The video below explains how the app empowers New Yorkers to hold police officers accountable: 'Stop & Frisk Watch', an NYCLU Phone App to Hold the NYPD accountable for its actions.nycluclipsSome citizens agree with the ACLU's assessment that 'stop and frisk' is racist. Silent march to end stop and frisk and racial profilinglongislandwinsAn anonymous citizen-led campaign addressing racism in Brooklyn put together this infographic showing how the policy disproportionately affects racial minorities:RISE Campaign poster: #RacismStillExists #StopAndFrisk http://twitter.yfrog.com/mouduptwitter.yfrog.comDespite criticism, the New York Police Department holds that the tactic has led to a huge drop in crime over the past decade. The interactive map below shows where New York police were successful in confiscating guns via 'stop and frisk'. Stop + Frisk: Guns | WNYCWNYC map shows most guns found during NYPD stop-and-frisks last year happened away from stop-and-frisk hot spots.Increased public pressure brought the 'stop and frisk' debate before a New York court. On January 8, United States District Judge Shira Scheindlin declared the practice unconstitutional.NYPD's 'Stop and Frisk' policy ruled unconstitutional. "The NYPD has systematically crossed [the line]," says judge. http://nydn.us/UHoNt8Trevor TimmStop and Frisk has been deemed unconstitutional today...Major win for justice and equality!Stephen A. GreenOn January 22, however, Scheindlin agreed to halt immediate enforcement of her decision while the city appeals the ruling. Decision to temporarily stay previous stop-and-frisk ruling doesn't change judge's belief practice is being carried out unconstitutionallyKevin GosztolaMost recently, The NYPD announced that it will begin testing a scanning system to replace the practice of 'stop and frisk'.What do you think? Is 'stop and frisk' an effective tactic in reducing high crime rates? Or is it a slippery slope allowing for racial profiling?