New York City police say the “stop-and-frisk” stops that have drawn heavy criticism are down sharply.
NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly said Friday that the number of people stopped declined about 25 percent in the second quarter of this year compared to the same three months last year. He said better training and supervision contributed to the decline.
The so-called “stop and frisk” strategy has resulted in a half million or more stops each year, mostly of black and Hispanic men. Only about 10 percent are arrested.
Civil rights advocates say the practice is illegal and racially biased. Police officials call it a vital crime-fighting tool that has curbed shooting and other violence.