5 Surprising NYPD Stop and Frisk Statistics

1. In 2018, there were 11,008 stop-and-frisks in New York City. All in all, 2019 saw 13,459 stop-and-frisks. While this is a staggering increase of 22%, the numbers remain quite low compared to the years before the 2013 change in stop-and-frisk laws. 2007, for example, had nearly 500,000 stop-and-frisks.

2. The most common New York City boroughs in which police performed a stop-and-frisk in 2019 are Manhattan and Brooklyn. Brooklyn saw the most stop-and-frisks, with 32% of the total number. Manhattan had the second most stop-and-frisks, with 27.6 % of the total number. 

Number of stop-and-frisks per NYC borough in 2019:

3. Staten Island – 514
4. Queens – 2,446
5. Manhattan – 3,724
6. Bronx – 2,464
7. Brooklyn – 4,311

3. Common streets on which police performed a stop-and-frisk include:
   • Lexington Avenue
   • Broadway
   • Fulton Street
   • Park Avenue
   • 2 Avenue
   • 3 Avenue
   • 8 Avenue 

4. The black and black hispanic population accounted for 9,108 or 67.7% of the total stop-and-frisks in 2019, up from 65.5% in 2018. While the white and white hispanic population accounted for 3,957 or 29% of the total number, which was down from nearly 32% in 2018. 

Stop-and-frisks by race in 2019:

5. Asian/Pacific Islander – 301
6. Black – 7,981
7. Black hispanic – 1,127
8. White – 1,215
9. White hispanic – 2,742
10. Other – 93

5. Reasons for the stop-and-frisk occurrence by percentage of 13,459 total stop-and-frisks in 2019:
   • Based on self-initiation – 23%
   • Based on radio run – 62%
   • Based on caller/witness on scene – 15%

Understanding Your Rights When You Are Stopped and Frisked

In August 2013, courts ruled stop-and-frisk activities to be unconstitutional and subsequently forced police to establish new policies. To better understand your rights, see the following frequently asked questions:

Is it Legal for a Police Officer to Stop Me for Any Reason?

Police officers may only stop you on the grounds of a reasonable suspicion that you are, in some way, involved in a crime. 

Can I Ask Why I’m Being Stopped?

There is nothing wrong with asking the police why they are stopping you. In fact, you should do so to better understand the situation that you face. 

Can I Refuse Consent if the Police Ask to Search Me?

You may refuse to give the police officer consent to search your belongings. But note, in some scenarios, police may have authority to search you anyway. 

What Does it Mean to Be Frisked? 

Frisking occurs when police officers sweep or pat outside a person’s clothing to check for weapons or other potentially illegal items. 

How Do I Know if a Police Officer Violated My Rights? 

Police may lawfully frisk you with reasonable suspicion, but they are limited in what they can do. If you suspect your rights have been violated, write down the police officer’s name and badge number and then call an attorney right away. 

At Greenberg & Stein, we represent victims of police assaults in New York City. We successfully obtained $300,000 for a client who needed surgery for a fractured eye socket after an assault by a police officer.  Reach out to our office to learn more how we help victims of police brutality and unwarranted stop-and-frisks. 

Visit greenbergandstein.com or call us at 212-681-2535.