Federal Judge Approves NYPD Stop-And-Frisk Class Action Suit
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A federal judge on Wednesday approved a class action suit for those claiming they have been unlawfully stopped, questioned and frisked by the New York City Police Department.
Do you support the NYPD's tactics to lower crime? Join the conversation on "The Call" at 9 p.m. with NY1's John Schiumo, or email your thoughts.
The lawsuit alleges the NYPD's "Stop and Frisk" practices are unconstitutional and racially discriminatory.
The ruling allows for anyone stopped and frisked since January 2005 to be plaintiffs.
The judge called the city's attitude toward the stops "deeply troubling."
City Law says it disagrees with the judge and will review its legal options.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Mayor Michael Bloomberg refused to comment on the decision but defended the policy.
"My understanding is the polls show overwhelming support by the public for the tactics that we've been using to bring down crime. There's always going to be somebody that disagrees and they have the right," Bloomberg said.
The newest "Stop and Frisk" numbers from the NYPD show more than 203,000 street stops were made from January through March.
That is up from the same quarter last year.