Lawsuit Against NYPD Over Racial Discrimination on the Roads
The New York City Police Department (NYPD) has long faced criticism from civil rights organizations over accusations of racial profiling, discriminatory practices, and deeply ingrained systemic biases.
A new lawsuit filed in court brings these issues to the forefront again, alleging that NYPD officers are engaging in what is termed “stop-and-frisk on wheels.”
The lawsuit claims that officers disproportionately target Black and Latino drivers during traffic stops, with these drivers being more likely to be searched, arrested, and have their vehicles confiscated.
Who Gets Stopped and How Often?
The case, initiated by the New York Civil Liberties Union and the Bronx Defenders, highlights the scale of traffic stops since a 2021 law requiring officers to document every stop took effect.
Over the first three years, over two million stops were documented. Black drivers accounted for 32 percent of them, although they make up only 22 percent of the city’s driving population.
Latino drivers were also disproportionately represented, comprising 30 percent of all stops, despite constituting only 23 percent of drivers. In contrast, white drivers, who make up 38 percent of the city’s motorists, were stopped in only 23 percent of cases.
Inequality in Arrests and Searches
The disparity becomes particularly stark when it comes to arrests and vehicle searches. According to the data, Black and Latino drivers accounted for 90 percent of all arrests following traffic stops.
Furthermore, the lawsuit notes that Black drivers are 10 times more likely to be searched than white drivers. Latino drivers are 6 times more likely to be searched compared to white drivers.
The lawsuit also accuses the NYPD of frequently stopping motorists in minority neighborhoods under the pretext of searching for weapons.
“Stop and Frisk,” Reimagined Through Traffic Stops
Daniel Lambright, an attorney with the Civil Liberties Union, stated:
“Too many Black and Latino drivers in New York are treated like criminals when their cars are searched during what should be a routine traffic stop, solely because of their skin color. The NYPD’s targeting of Black and Latino drivers with baseless car searches is nothing less than stop-and-frisk on wheels, and it must end.”
Among the plaintiffs is 35-year-old Justin Cohen, a Black man who was stopped in 2023 for allegedly speeding. He recounts that the encounter quickly escalated: he was searched without cause, arrested, and his car was confiscated. He was later released, receiving only a speeding ticket.
This lawsuit fits into a long history of controversy surrounding police practices in New York, particularly the “stop-and-frisk” program, which was significantly curtailed after numerous lawsuits and accusations of racial profiling. The current allegations suggest that problematic practices may have found new forms of expression. The success of this lawsuit could force the department to review its procedures and provide detailed statistics that would shed light on whether stops are being used as a pretext for searches rather than for ensuring traffic safety. The response of police leadership and city authorities to these serious allegations will be crucial for restoring community trust, particularly among minorities who bear the brunt of disproportionate police attention.