QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, August 15, 2013 Page 2
C M SQ page 2 Y K
Stop and frisk ruled unconstitutional District court strikes down current police tactic as a violation of rights by Tess McRae Reporter
O
n Monday a federal U.S. District Court judge ruled that stop and frisk, the controversial practice that allows police officers to stop and search any individual they deem suspicious, unconstitutional as it stands. “… the City is liable for the violation of plaintiffs’ Fourth and 14th Amendment rights,” Judge Shira Scheindlin, who presided over the cases challenging the practice, wrote. “The idea of universal suspicion without individual evidence is what Americans find abhorrent and what black men in America must constantly fight. It is pervasive in policing policies — like stop and frisk, and … neighborhood watch — regardless of the collateral damage done to the majority of innocents. It’s like burning a house down to rid it of mice.” The two cases at issue accused the NYPD of violating David Floyd’s and Jaenean Ligon’s Fourth and 14th Amendment rights. As a result, Scheindlin designated Peter Zimroth, a former attorney for New York City, to be the federal monitor of the NYPD and oversee stop-and-frisk procedures. In addition, 5 percent of officers will have to wear body cameras temporarily so that stopand-frisk procedures can be observed; a
The recent court decision says that stop and frisk is unconstitutional because the NYPD uses racial profiling as a basis for stopping individuals. It is expected that the city will appeal the PHOTO BY TESS MCRAE decision. community-based policing policy must be drafted and amendments must be made to the current stop-and-frisk practices to ensure racial profiling is not being utilized. The decision was not a surprising one as many elected officials, including Mayor Bloomberg, said months ago that Scheindlin would probably strike the policy down. “Judge Scheindlin recognized what the NAACP has been saying for years: The
Very Gentle
Open Sundays
DENTAL
racial profiling tactic of stop and frisk has no place in our enlightened society,” NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Jealous wrote in response. “We hope that Mayor Bloomberg and Comissioner Kelly will heed this decision and end their crude and abusive policy. We will continue to stand up with the tens of thousands of New Yorkers who marched with us last June and fight for the protections of the Community Safety Act.”
The act comprises a pair of police oversight bills the mayor recently vetoed and the Council plans to override. The use of stop and frisk has become a heated discussion for many campaigns as it is alleged that the NYPD forces officers to fulfill a quota which has led to the disproportionate stopping of black and Latino men more than any other ethnic groups, despite the mayor having signed an antiracial profiling bill into law several years ago. The New York Civil Liberties Union, which has studied stop-and-frisk data in depth, reports that black and Latino New Yorkers make up nine out of 10 police stops, yet 94 percent do not uncover any criminal activity. “The ruling issued by Judge Scheindlin only confirms what so many New Yorkers already know, that the way stop, question and frisk has been implemented is a violation of people’s constitutional rights,” Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) said. “Not only have the police been targeting minority and LGBT communities, ignoring the fact that more weapons and contraband are confiscated when they stop white suspects, but the way they have treated residents when they are stopped has been demeaning and abusive.” continued on page 38
LIVE A HEALTHIER LIFE
UNIVERSE
ULTRA MODERN FACILITIES 91-10 Jamaica Ave., Woodhaven, NY 11421
Implants by Oral Surgeon General Cosmetic Dentistry tistry Cosmetic Bonding DENTAL Gum Cleaning WHITENING White Fillings Zoom advanced with laser in Crowns & Bridges about an hour Dentures INVISIBLE INV Extractions AL ALIGNERS Teeth Whitening to straighten Root Canal teeth Children’s Dental Health (Invisalign ) Complete Preventive Care We offer State-of-the-Art Sterilization n PAYMENT Preventive Tooth Sealants PLANS with and without Fluoride Treatment interest incentives School Notes Welcome for referrals
• Family Health Care • Migraines/Headaches • Neck Pain • Shoulder Pain • Elbow/Wrist Pain • Low Back Pain • Sciatica • Hip Pain • Knee Pain • Foot/Heel Pain
®
®
20% OFF ANY 1 PROCEDURE Cannot be combined with any other offer. With coupon. Expires 8/31/13.
SUMMER SPECIAL $100 for exam, cleaning and full mouth X-rays
EMERGENCIES Seen Same Day
FREE CONSULTATION (with this ad)
Most Insurance Plans, Union, Medicaid accepted as payment: Blue Cross, Delta. Con Edison, Prudential, Metropolitan, MHS, GHEA, GHI, CSEA, Guardian, Cigna, Health Plex, Nynex, Dc37 (If you do not see the name of your insurance, call us, because we accept almost all insurance companies.)
Dr. David S. Fuggetta Chiropractor
• Wellness Care • Sports Injuries • Pre & Post-Natal Back Care • Arthritis • Fibromyalgia • Numbness • Auto Accidents • Worker’s Compensation
–– Most Insurance Plans Accepted ––
718-845-6600 91-17 157 th Ave., Howard Beach Both The Q21 and Q41 Buses Stop at Our Office
See Our Website: www.rockwoodparkchiro.com
©2013 M1P • RCHI-061676
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ©2013 M1P • DENU-061626
For the latest news visit qchron.com
718-805-4444