New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly defended the controversial ‘stop-and-frisk’ policy during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,’ saying violent crime will go up if the policy is ended. The ‘stop-and-frisk’ policy, which targets mainly black and Hispanic males, was found unconstitutional by a federal judge, calling the program “indirect racial profiling.”  He said “no question” more people will die if the city’s next mayor ends the policy.

“Again, this is not a program,” Kelly said. “This is something that’s integral to policing. This happens throughout America at any police jurisdiction.  You have to do it.  Officers have to have the right of inquiry, if they see some suspicious behavior. So I can assure you, this is not just a New York City issue.  It’s an issue throughout America.  And this case has to be appealed in my judgment because it will be taken as a template and have significant impact in policing throughout America.”

The commissioner also defended the program as saving minority lives, not targeting them as suspects.

“We need some balance here,” he said. “The stark reality is that violence is happening disproportionately in minority communities.  And that unfortunately is in big cities throughout America. We have record low numbers of murders in New York City, record low numbers of shootings, we’re doing something right to save lives.” Source: Politico

It’s amazing that Ray Kelly, who is reportedly being considered to replace Janet Napolitano as the next Homeland Security secretary, is doubling down on the controversial policy, in light of a federal judge’s ruling. This isn’t the only controversial thing coming out of New York City. Kelly’s boss, Mayor Michael Bloomberg wants the 60,000 residents in the city’s public housing to be fingerprinted. He claims it will make the projects safer. Um, this is another form of racial profiling.

This was cross-posted from The Hinterland Gazette.