“This is a defining moment in our history. It’s a defining moment for millions of our families, especially those with young men of color. And it will lay the foundation for not only keeping us the safest big city in America, but making us safer still. This will be one city, where everyone’s rights are respected, and where police and community stand together to confront violence,” said de Blasio.
Under the agreement with plaintiffs announced today, a court-appointed monitor will serve for three years, overseeing the NYPD’s reform of its stop-and-frisk policy. The monitor is empowered to report to federal court on the city’s progress meeting its obligation to abide by the United States Constitution. The city will also take part in a joint process with community stakeholders to ensure people affected by stop-and-frisk play an active role in shaping reform.
"This will be real reform that focuses police attention on those individuals actually engaged in criminal activity and limits the intrusion of police activity on the lives of millions of law abiding New Yorkers,” said incoming Corporation Counsel Zach Carter.
"Reforming an agency that has systemically engaged in the discriminatory treatment of New Yorkers for more than a decade is a long-term undertaking," Communities United for Police Reform said. "We look forward to working to ensure that once the remedial process begins, we are able to create enduring changes that will help achieve true safety with dignity for all New Yorkers."
