Bloomberg Admits Stop and Frisk Policy Needs to Change

New York mayor Michael Bloomberg admitted that the NYPD's stop-and-frisk policy needs to be amended in a speech on Sunday.

New York mayor Michael Bloomberg admitted that the NYPD's stop-and-frisk policy needs to be changed in a speech on Sunday.

Bloomberg spoke about the stop-and-frisk at the First Baptist Church in Brownsville, NY before marching in Sunday's Puerto Rican Day Parade. Brownsville has one of the highest crime rates in New York City. Critics of the policy have accused it of targeting young black and Latino males. Bloomberg said he wouldn't get rid of the policy on Sunday, but did admit it needed to change:

"I understand why some people are calling for the stops to be eliminated entirely, but there's no denying that the stops take guns of the streets and save lives. And to borrow a phrase from President Clinton, I believe the practice need to be 'mended, not ended' to ensure that stops are conducted appropriately with as much courtesy as possible," said Bloomberg.

The NYPD's Ray Kelly announced the policy was being reviewed and officers were being givern stricter guidelines and training on when and how they could stop and frisk a suspect. Through the first three months of 2012, the NYPD were on pace to stop and frisk a record number of people for the year.