Top Philly Cop Talks 'Stop-and-Frisk' Policy with NY Times
Commissioner Ramsey—'The question is: Are you stopping the right people for the right reason?'
Juxtaposing the Big Apple to Philadelphia, The New York Times profiled Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey and his department's use of stop-and-frisk tactics to curtail violent crime and possession of illegal weapons.
In a July 11 article, the Times analyzed how Philadelphia added safeguards to officer stops of pedestrians to combat complaints that police were violating civil rights.
Since Mayor Michael Nutter took office, homicide statistics have ridden a wave—dropping after the bloody 2007, but increasing in 2010 for the first time in several years. So far in 2012, police report 189 homicides, the highest total at this point since 2007.
The policy, police argue, is an effective way to remove illegal guns from the streets. Last summer, as reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Police established more safeguards, internal tracking and education technique in an effort to decrease distrust of police.
Homicides—and the stop-and-frisk policies intended to curtail incidents—are not as prevalent in Northwest Philadelphia, but the balancing act of police effectively doing its job and respecting citizens remains.
The article includes interviews with Philadelphians in neighborhoods most victimized by overzealous stops, and also features support from civil rights groups that say the city adjusted effectively to complaints.
Ramsey maintains his support for the policy.
“The sense that I get from some is that they want to get rid of this tool completely,” he said, “and that would be a huge mistake.”
One local blog, #GunCrisis: Philadelphia, serves as centralized spot to monitor violent crime stories and is working to create a dialogue on the "epidemic of homicide by gunfire." Read more from the organization here.
Roxborough Area Man
2:24 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012
Stop-And-Frisk ignores the "Innocent until proven guilty" ideal of American justice. Aside from that, it builds distrust and resentment towards the very people with whom those at risk should be developing relationships. Community policing is what we need - get the cops OUT of the cars and walking the beat...oh wait, that would mean increasing funding and police officers, which means more taxes...nevermind...
poorrichard
4:36 pm on Friday, July 13, 2012
Stop and Frisk appeals to the average, uninformed, typical citizen of Philadelphia who thinks it sounds like a good idea until it happens to him. Whether you like this next statement or not, the hard truth remains that certain communities are more likely to carry illegal guns than others. That has never been a problem in the Roxborough-Manayunk section until perhaps recently. If you want this policy to work, aside from the philosophical debate regarding its legality and its rightfulness, target that community. If not, then It is the same ridiculous principle that forces airport screeners to scrutinize 90 year old grandmothers in wheelchairs as potential terrorists.
poorrichard
4:39 pm on Friday, July 13, 2012
For the record, if I am stopped for a frisk without real probable cause, I will file a lawsuit against the Philadelphia Police.
Gino D
5:08 am on Friday, July 20, 2012
Everyone has a half-baked opinion on the police and their abuse of power. Bottom line, If you're being stopped, it's generally for a reason whether you want to admit it or not, This is not a blind endorsement of bad cops, but please stop whining! read more below.
http://urarubba.blogspot.com/2012/06/stop-whining-about-stop-and-frisks.html#comments