Scott Stringer (Photo: Wikimedia)
Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer was among the officials at an “NYPD Accountability” rally this afternoon and strongly spoke about police stop-and-frisk policies. The Borough President, who’s a potential 2013 mayoral candidate, additionally embraced the fact that he was the only white elected official to speak out at the rally. “I wanted to be here today to add some color to what is going on,” Mr. Stringer began his speech, half-jokingly. “Because you can’t build a movement unless you bring the whole city together.”
“I have to say something that we have to put out there with the greatest respect for all New Yorkers,” Mr. Stringer explained. “You cannot close your eyes, as somebody who’s Caucasian, to the fact that of the 700,000 who are stopped, questioned, and frisked, 85% are African-American and Latino.”
Mr. Stringer then personally reflected on how his situation compares to that of other New Yorkers. He noted that he’s never been frisked by the NYPD himself, and that as the father of a young child, he won’t need to worry about his child’s future interaction with police. Unlike some city residents, when his young child becomes a teenager and goes to the store, Mr. Stringer said that he and his wife “will hope that there’s a cop on the corner”
“It just can’t be Latino people and African American people, people of color, having to discuss this,” he added to claps and cheers. “We have to discuss this. People like me have to discuss this. Elected officials like me have to discuss this.”
Possibly demonstrating some of the political salience of the issue, Mr. Stringer was hardly the only elected official aspiring for higher office to speak out at the rally. Councilwoman Tish James was introduced as a candidate for Public Advocate, while Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries also attended and is exploring a run for Congress. Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito, a contender for Speaker of the City Council in 2013, made the trek down to Central Brooklyn as well.
Watch the video below:
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Stop and frisk works. It should be expanded.
You are a jerk!
You live in Boerum Hill.
In case you haven’t heard the news, the President of the US recently signed a bill that will allow all US citizens to be stopped, frisked, and detained. Happy?
In case you haven’t heard the news, the President of the US recently signed a bill that will allow all US citizens to be stopped, frisked, and detained. Happy?
In case you haven’t heard the news, the President of the US recently signed a bill that will allow all US citizens to be stopped, frisked, and detained. Happy?
In case you haven’t heard the news, the President of the US recently signed a bill that will allow all US citizens to be stopped, frisked, and detained. Happy?
Anyone who has seen the resolution Scott Stringer is presenting to Community Boards in Manhattan will question his actual dedication to this issue. It seeks to hold the NYPD to the lowest possible acceptable standard, actually suggesting that the NYPD should make their stops “more constitutional.” The resolution contains no language that would force change in the NYPD and reads as if it was written solely for the purpose of political pandering. What’s wrong with actually constitutional Scott? Is that too strong politically for you? It is disingenuous to claim that you care about this issue without reflecting the requisite urgency required to end what should be a city-wide embarrassment — the criminalization of young people of color. Standing on a corner at Grand Army Plaza claiming that you are going to be “watching the NYPD” won’t amount to anything unless you back that up with action. So, Mr. Stringer, know that I will be watching you.
It’s depressing when folks can’t tell allies from enemies. Hot Air — Stringer has called for an end to the “furtive movements” justification for stops, called for a DOJ investigation, suggested alternative community policing policies…how much stronger on the issue does it get? So, maybe it’s a poorly written reso…who cares?