New Research Brief Provides a First Look at How Many Stops Act Data
In a first public analysis, DCJ’s new research brief covers the prevalence of “Level 1” & “Level 2” encounters citywide, by borough, and by precinct from July to December 2024, racial disparities in who is stopped, and reasons why police officers initiate these encounters in the first place.
Implemented in July 2024, the How Many Stops Act mandates that police officers record basic information about previously unexamined Level 1 and Level 2 street encounters with civilians. In Level 1 encounters, police may request information from people if they have an objective, credible reason to do so. In Level 2 encounters, police may ask accusatory questions if they have a founded suspicion of criminal activity.
Prior to the How Many Stops Act, the New York Police Department already shared data on “Level 3” pedestrian stops (a.k.a. Stop, Question, and Frisk), when an officer may use reasonable force to prevent people from walking away based on a reasonable suspicion that a person is involved in criminal activity.
From July to December 2024, the NYPD recorded 1.18 million street encounters. Black people represented 39% of Level 1 and 59% of Level 2 encounters, despite making up just 23% of NYC’s population. Black people were also subject to 58% of Level 3 stops in all of 2024.
Additional Key Findings:
- Brooklyn and the Bronx had the highest stop activity, with Level 2 stops in the Bronx occurring at twice its population share.
- Precincts where the most stops were located included East New York (Brooklyn), Brownsville (Brooklyn), and East Tremont (Bronx). (See the full report for maps showing additional precincts seeing large numbers of stops.)
- Most stops do not result in arrest (only 1% of Level 1, 7% of Level 2, and 27% of Level 3 encounters led to an arrest).
- Long reported Level 3 stops increased by 184% since 2021, the year before the Adams administration began. The 25,386 Level 3 stops in 2024 represented the most in a decade since 2014.
By expanding reporting requirements to include all three levels of police encounters, the How Many Stops Act provides a more comprehensive view of NYPD street stops. The full research brief offers deeper insights into the patterns of these encounters.
Read the full brief: https://lnkd.in/eerajvNr