PROP Report: Under Mayor Adams, Racist NYPD Practices Escalate
PROP FINDS THAT, IN MAYOR ERIC ADAMS FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE, THE NYPD SUBSTANTIALLY ESCALATED ITS DISCRIMINATORY BROKEN WINDOWS PRACTICES. THE NUMBER OF MISDEMEANOR AND FELONY ARRESTS INCREASED IN 2022 BY NEARLY 20% OVER 2021’S NUMBER, GOING FROM 131,73 TO 156,836.
** THE NYPD REMAINS REMARKABLY CONSISTENT IN THE STARK RACIAL BIAS OF ITS ARREST PRACTICES. In 2022, 88% OF NYPD MISDEMEANOR ARRESTS INVOLVED NYERS OF COLOR, COMPARED TO 87% DURING 2021 87% 2020.
** IN 2022, THE NYPD MADE 84,226 MISDEMEANOR ARRESTS, AN AVERAGE OF OVER 230 PER DAY. THE 84,226 ARRESTS REPRESENTS A NEARLY 20% INCREASE FROM THE NUMBER OF NYPD MISDEMEANOR ARRESTS MADE in 2021.
Based on data received from the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services, PROP released these principal findings regarding NYPD arrest statistics for 2022.
** PROP finds that, in mayor Eric Adams first year in office, the NYPD substantially escalated its discriminatory broken windows practices. The number of misdemeanor and felony arrests increased in 2022 by nearly 20% over 2021’s number, going from 131,731 to 156,836.
** Across all arrest categories, 2022 arrest data show that the NYPD persists in its discriminatory practice of targeting low-income people of color for minor infractions. PROP finds that in 2022, 88% of misdemeanor arrests involved NYers of color, actually a slightly higher proportion compared to the 87% figure in both 2021 and 2020.
** Numbers in specific arrest categories also reflect a stark racial bias, the inevitable outcome to the NYPD’s continuing commitment to racist “broken windows” policing: 90% of assault in the 3rd degree (a misdemeanor) arrests involve NYers of color; 91.5% of fare evasion arrests; 94% of possession of forged instrument arrests; 88.5% of weapon possession in the 4th degree arrests; 83% of petty larceny arrests; 88 of mischief in the 4th degree arrests; 89% of contempt in the 2nd degree arrests; 82% of possession of a controlled substance in the 7th degree arrests; and 92% of possession of stolen property arrests.
** Over 52% of the NYPD’s felony arrests involve Black New Yorkers who make up 25.1% of the City’s total population.
** Using the conservative estimate that one misdemeanor arrest costs the City $1750, the expense for NYPD misdemeanor arrest practices comes to over $400,000. per day
** Misdemeanor arrests make up the majority of NYPD arrests, consisting in 54% of all arrests in 2022.
PROP director Robert Gangi said: “Based on the NYPD’s own reporting, these numbers expose the harsh truth that under Mayor Adams & Commissioner Sewell the NYPD has actually escalated its racist broken windows practices. How else are we to understand statistics showing that arrests have jumped by almost 20% & that arrests for one offense category, the misdemeanor possession of a forged instrument, involves 94% NYers of color.
That stark racial disparity can only result from the intentional targeting of a specific community. NYC, its people & its political leaders should no longer tolerate, to say nothing of effectively promoting, racist police practices that everyday inflict harm & hardship on a selected group of the most vulnerable NYers”.
The full report from the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services is available upon request.
