[kylewpppd]

I don't like anecdotes like this because they back the assertion Stop and Frisk does societal good.

It implies that police are able to discern the difference between "good people" and "bad people", and that "stopping the bad ones" doesn't harm society at large because "the good ones" don't get stopped.

This is hurtful to those who have experienced it first hand, and to those who are seeking equality of all people under the law.

[ritchiea]

That's not my intention at all. I'm not saying anyone is good or bad. In fact I specifically say stop & frisk is a violation of the rights of those who are stopped. You seem to be assuming because I say it's a class issue that I think it's okay. It's not okay. Someone's income or outward showing of societal class should not mark them as a criminal. I don't think anyone should be harassed by authorities for their appearance, whatever their class, race, ethnicity, or whatever else.

What I am saying is that in my experience NYC police appear to discriminate more based on class than on race.

[ttiitg]

But isn't that a good trait in law enforcement if through experience gained on the street they can tell the difference between 'good' and 'bad' people, as defined by whether they're breaking the law or not? Then they focus their time on cases most likely needing attention?

If they profiled only on race or on class that is obviously bad. And I imagine in some areas there's a correlation between race or class with crime.

But in general I'd expect the police to develop good judgement in being able to read people on sight using whatever cues they can pick up on.

I never get 'harassed' by the police nowadays, but as a middle class white teenager I was being stopped all the time, usually because they could tell from body language or how and where I was driving that I was up to something. Usually they were dead right and usually it was alcohol related.

[chrisdevereux]

I think the point was that while the police are biased by race, other biases sometimes override the race bias. I wouldn't read that as backing Stop & Frisk.