CPR Statement Re: Community Safety Act stop-and-frisk reforms in the City Council

A day after the start of the federal lawsuit – Floyd v. City of New York – challenging the city’s stop-and-frisk policy with violating constitutional protections against racial discrimination and unreasonable searches and seizure, and reports that the City Council is close to passing bills to reform discriminatory policing abuses, Communities United for Police Reform released the following statement.

“As the federal lawsuit against Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Kelly’s out-of-control stop-and-frisk policy began this week, the time has come for real changes to end discriminatory profiling and related NYPD abuses,” said Joo-Hyun Kang of Communities United for Police Reform. “New Yorkers must be protected from being profiled – whether they are Black or Latino, LGBTQ or Muslim – and the City Council should provide this protection by passing the Community Safety Act. We are pleased by the progress we’ve made with the Council towards agreements related to the need for independent oversight of NYPD practices, and look forward to reaching agreements to strengthen NYPD accountability and protections against discriminatory profiling and other abusive practices.”

BACKGROUND

The Community Safety Act contains four important bills. It would ban profiling based on race, religion, immigration status, housing status, sexual orientation gender identity or expression, and other protected categories.  It would create a strong inspector general, with subpoena power, to investigate the policies and procedures of the NYPD.  It would protect New Yorkers against unlawful searches by requiring officers to inform New Yorkers of their legal rights. Finally, it would require officers to identify themselves and explain why they are stopping someone.

About Communities United for Police Reform

Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) is an unprecedented campaign to end discriminatory policing practices in New York, and to build a lasting movement that promotes public safety and policing practices based on cooperation and respect– not discriminatory targeting and harassment.

CPR brings together a movement of community members, lawyers, researchers and activists to work for change. The partners in this campaign come from all 5 boroughs, from all walks of life and represent many of those unfairly targeted the most by the NYPD. CPR is fighting for reforms that will promote community safety while ensuring that the NYPD protects and serves all New Yorkers.

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