E Harlem Tops Borough In Stop-And-Frisk Searches In 2019: Study

EAST HARLEM, NY — The NYPD's use of its unconstitutional stop-and-frisk policy was more frequent in East Harlem than any other Manhattan neighborhood in 2019, according to a new study conducted by the Legal Aid Society.

The two police precincts that patrol East Harlem — the 23rd and 25th NYPD precincts — conducted 643 total stop-and-frisk searches in 2019, according to NYPD data. Of those 643, 366 occurred in the 23rd precinct and 277 occurred in the 25th. Only one precinct in the entire city — the 75th in East New York, Brooklyn — logged more stop-and-frisk searches than the 23rd.

Central Harlem's 32nd precinct was also toward the top of the rankings with 266 stop-and-frisk searches in 2019, according to NYPD data.

Citywide, the number of stop-and-frisks increased by 22 percent in 2019, jumping to 13,459 stops citywide from the historic 2018 low of 11,008. The spike shows that the city has not kept its promise of scaling back the practice, which was found to be unconstitutional after a legal challenge in 2013 and disproportionately targets people of color, attorneys with the Legal Aid Society said.

"This data confirms what we hear from our clients on a daily basis — despite court rulings that the city's practices were unlawful, aggressive stop-and-frisk has made a comeback in New York City," said Corey Stoughton, Legal Aid's attorney-in-charge of the Special Litigation Unit. "...What it really represents is a broken promise to New Yorkers who stood up years ago to end ineffective, unfair and unconstitutional police practices."

Nearly all, 90 percent, of the 2019 stop and frisks involved New Yorkers of color, data showed, and 65 percent of the stops didn't result in an arrest or a summons. The rates are similar to a 2018 analysis that found eight out of every 10 people stopped by cops between 2014 and 2017 were people of color.

The NYPD disputed Legal Aid's findings, arguing that the spike in data is likely due to better reporting of the practice rather than an actual increase in the number of stop-and-frisks.

"It's unlikely to be a true increase in stops but rather more accurate and complete reporting," spokesperson Sgt. Mary Frances O'Donnell said. "The Department has enhanced its auditing and compliance metrics as well as developed training to address stops and proper reporting."

Patch reporter Anna Quinn contributed to this report.