Several of the city’s leading retailers tried to defuse the “shop and frisk” scandal on Monday by agreeing to an anti-profiling policy demanded by minority activists led by the Rev. Al Sharpton.
Barneys, Macy’s, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor and Gap are among the stores that promised to post and abide by a “Customers’ Bill of Rights” in the wake of allegations that some black shoppers were targeted for questioning by cops after purchasing pricey items.
“Profiling is an unacceptable practice and will not be tolerated,” the one-page document, drafted by the Retail Council of New York State, declares.
“Employees who violate the company’s prohibition on profiling will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment,” it adds.
Macy’s spokesman Ed Goldberg said his company — which faces a potential class-action suit filed by “Treme” actor Robert Brown — understood “the gravity of the situation.”
Barneys, which apologized after two black shoppers sued claiming they were profiled at its flagship Madison Avenue store, did not send a rep to the news conference.
Barneys shopper Keesean Moore, 24, who’s black, called the anti-profiling program “a momentary sigh of relief, but it will definitely be a test of time.”