Reaction to the stop-and-frisk ruling split strictly along party lines among the mayoral candidates yesterday — with some leading Democratic contenders saying they’d drop any appeals if they got into City Hall.
“In the strongest possible terms, I urge Mayor Bloomberg not to appeal the judge’s ruling,” City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, a leading Democrat, said after learning a federal monitor would be instituted to oversee the NYPD’s use of the controversial policing strategy. “We need to move forward with the monitor, move forward with the inspector general.”
Bill Thompson, the only black candidate in the race, stood with Hazel Dukes, the head of the NAACP New York State Conference, in hailing the ruling.
“I would drop the appeal as mayor,” he said. “I would not keep Ray Kelly as police commissioner; Ray is the face of an abusive stop-and-frisk policy that has targeted communities of color. Ray needs to go.”
Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and city Comptroller John Liu also praised the judge’s ruling.
Anthony Weiner split with his competitors, saying the city does not need a federal monitor although he believes stop-and-frisk is misused.
All the Republican candidates for mayor urged Bloomberg not to cave in.
“Stop, question and frisk has been an invaluable tool keeping our city safe and saving lives,” Joe Lhota said.
Rival John Catsimatidis said he believes the city will win in appeal.
And George McDonald, the third Republican in the race, tweeted: “One misguided liberal judge is endangering the safety of all New Yorkers. Appeal, Appeal, Appeal!”