Crime & Safety

Police Reform Campaign Releases Stop-And-Frisk Docuseries

Flatbush resident Kasiem (pictured) and three other New Yorkers talk about how stop-and-frisk procedures have impacted them in a new docuseries.

Committees United for Police Reform (CPR) launched an online video series Tuesday to illuminate the “negative impact” of the NYPD’s stop-and-frisk policy.

The stop-and-frisk program allows police officers who reasonably suspect a person has committed, or is about to commit, a felony or penal law misdemeanor to frisk the person for weapons if they believe they're in danger. CPR hopes to illustrate “the inhumane side of the NYPD policy” through the release of their video series, which tells the stories of four New Yorkers who have been impacted by the policy.

Stop-and-Frisk: The High School Senior, the first video (see above), highlights a Flatbush high school senior named Kasiem, who has been stopped and frisked seven times since age 13. He was first frisked while walking to school to pick up a friend, as he often did.

“It’s something that’s dehumanizing. No one ever wants to go through that,” Kasiem said. “I think people shouldn’t have to live in fear. The point of police is not to instill fear. I think the point of police is to protect people and have them not feel…fear.”

The short documentaries were produced by Firelight Films, a New York-based production company. CPR will release the rest of the series featuring the stories of a police officer, a mother and a clergyman in the coming weeks.

“We all deserve to live in safe and thriving communities where all can participate fully in our communities and in life,” CPR director Joo-Hyun Kang said. “These stories show how stop-and-frisk prevents that from happening.”


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