Daily Read: Bennett Capers on Stop and Frisk

Law prof I. Bennett Capers (pictured right) has a terrific op-ed in The New York Times today about Floyd v. City of New York, the "stop and frisk" opinion we discussed yesterday.

Capers starts off with a personal perspective, analyzes the problem and opinion in accessible terms, and then most interestingly concludes:

That still leaves the question, “What now?” Mayor Bloomberg is sure to appeal Judge Scheindlin’s decision, both in the court of appeals and the court of public opinion. But that’s not the only option.

He could actually welcome Judge Scheindlin’s decision to appoint an independent monitor to supervise reform. Mr. Bloomberg already claims crime reduction as part of his legacy. It’s not too late for him to claim that and more: that he reduced crime and finally did so in a way that was fair, egalitarian and not racially discriminatory. And it’s certainly not too late for his successor.

New Yorkers will know that the identity of Mayor Bloomberg's sucessor will be determined at the conclusion of this contentious election period, in which (in)equality is shaping up to be a central issue.  But Capers' piece is definitely worth a read no matter where one lives.

RR