NYCLU Filed A Lawsuit Against The NYPD's 'Clean Hall' Program Which They Say Violates Civil Rights
Civil rights advocacy groups filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the New York City Police Department over a controversial program that allows officers to patrol private apartment buildings.
The suit, submitted by the New York Civil Liberties Union, Latino Justice Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, as well as lawyers with the Bronx Defenders, allege the department's "Clean Halls" program has violated the constitutional rights of thousands of New Yorkers, especially in minority groups.
They say 94 percent of people arrested under the program are black or Latino.
The group says tenants and their guests in "Clean Halls" buildings across the city fear frequent and unwarranted stop-and-frisk arrests.
They say some tenants are afraid to leave their apartments just to get their mail, take out the trash or go to the store without having ID on them.
Several parents who attended today's press conference say they fear mostly for the young men in their communities, even as they walk around their own neighborhoods where they have a right to be and walk freely.
"I can't count the number of times I've watched police throw my son and his friends up against the wall and I have to run downstairs and just keep running and running, stopping them from harassing these kids who are just sitting in their own courtyard where they live at," said Bronx resident Fawn Gracy.
The lawsuit goes on to say very little is known about how the buildings are chosen and whether landlords who choose to join the program inform tenants thoroughly.
Source
Response: I have personally fell victim to this program. The NYPD often patrol buildings in Washington Heights, Harlem and South Bronx, all low-income neighborhoods. Most of the buildings are housing. The NYPD harasses and stop and frisks the residents. Of all the arrests made, 94% are Black and Latino. I strongly support NYCLU and I'm glad, after all this time, something is being done about this.