Stopping Frisks

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/03/24/1196149/-Stop-and-frisk-on-trial

Courtesy of the Center for Constitutional Rights

In this news story from the left-wing Daily Kos, the recent revelations that have shed light on racial profiling in NYPD's Stop-and-Frisk policy are examined and myths surrounding the case are debunked. The policy itself is picked apart piece by piece, painting it as ineffective and a harassment that predominately targets young black and Latino men in the City. The Kos doesn't limit the problem to NYC however, also point out that cities such as my own hometown of Philadelphia have tried to keep stop-and-frisk policies by propagandizing the virtues of such a program. While Mayor Bloomberg and the NYPD defend the program and attribute the sharp drop in crime to the policy, the public who's civil liberties stand to be violated seem to be remarkably supportive of the practice. It is a practice that should not stand in a country such as ours, a public humiliation of sorts that stands to keep racial wounds open in urban environments.

Stop-and-Frisk disproportionally effects minorities and perpetuates a sense of inequality and institutionalized racism in the police force. It is a violation of the civil liberties of those stopped for behaving "suspiciously," a presumption of guilt based off a moments observance that goes against the entire system of justice in place. It keeps the jails full and gives policemen another quota they can fill. It's a bad policy that widens a divide between what the police department is supposed to represent and the perception of the force by minorities, and its potential unconstitutionality makes this an unacceptable use of taxpayer money by cities across the country. A police force is meant to serve and protect, but it seems like instead they're doing a disservice to themselves and the people of the Untied States of America.