Crime & Safety
Kelly Calls Stop-and-Frisk 'Integral to Policing'
In Meet the Press appearance, Kelly says violent crime will rise without controversial practice.
New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly appeared on Meet the Press Sunday to talk about the recent decision by a Manhattan Judge finding stop-and-frisk practices unconstitutional.
In his defense of the stop-and-frisk, Kelly said that New York City was once again on pace to set a record low for homicides in the five boroughs — and credited stop-and-frisk with helping to save the lives of young men of color.
"We need some balance here. The stark reality is that violence his happening disproportionately in minority communities," Kelly said.
When asked by host David Gregory if people in the city would be in more danger without the use of stop-and-frisk by police, Kelly answered in the affirmative.
"I think, no question about it, violent crime will go up," Kelly said, adding that he felt the practice was "integral to policing."
Kelly also said he said the decision by Judge Shira Scheindlin needed to be appealed, or it could be taken as a "template" by other judges around the country.
Scheindlin said in her decision this month that police could not use race as the basis for a stop, and appointed a federal monitor to oversee the NYPD to ensure that changes were made within the police department.
What do you think about Kelly's latest statements? Let us know in the comments.
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