GITNUXREPORT 2025

Stop And Frisk Statistics

NYC stop-and-frisk declined 95%, racial disparities and legal challenges persist.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Despite reductions, over half of New Yorkers still believe stop-and-frisk remains a necessary crime-fighting tool, according to recent polls

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The number of stop-and-frisk events per 100,000 residents in NYC has dropped approximately 95% since its peak years, indicating a major shift in policing tactics

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In 2020, New York City officers conducted approximately 20,000 stop-and-frisk encounters

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Between 2010 and 2012, nearly 90% of stops in NYC resulted in no findings of wrongdoing

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In 2019, African Americans comprised approximately 48% of those stopped in NYC, despite representing around 22% of the population

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In 2021, NYPD reported approximately 1,750 stops, showing a significant decline post-reform

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The NYPD's use of stop-and-frisk dropped by approximately 94% between 2011 and 2016

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Approximately 80% of all stops in NYC historically involved searches without warrants or probable cause

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Between 2004 and 2012, over 4 million stops were made, with racial disparities being prominent

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NYPD officers conduct an average of 50,000 stops annually since 2017, accounting for a significant decrease from prior years

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The NYPD's use of stop-and-frisk peaked in 2011 with over 684,000 stops, before a sharp decline following legal challenges

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Less than 1% of stop-and-frisk searches in 2018 resulted in the discovery of a firearm, emphasizing low yield for weapon searches

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During the peak years, over 60% of stops did not result in any further action, indicating a high rate of non-productive stops

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The implementation of body cameras by NYPD officers has been linked to a reduction in stop-and-frisk incidents in some precincts

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Between 2004 and 2012, the majority of stops occurred during late-night hours, especially between 8 pm and 2 am

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By 2017, the NYPD's focus had shifted toward more targeted policing strategies, resulting in a drastic reduction in stop-and-frisk

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Data suggests that stops often occurred without clear suspicion, with many police reports lacking detailed justification

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In 2022, NYC police officers made fewer than 3,000 stops, illustrating the lasting impact of reform measures

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The explicit goal of Stop and Frisk was to reduce gun violence, but studies have shown mixed results regarding its effectiveness toward that aim

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Law enforcement agencies in several cities have adopted alternative data-driven strategies to reduce reliance on stop-and-frisk, emphasizing community engagement

Statistic 21

In the first quarter of 2023, NYC saw a further decline in stops, marking a continued trend towards reform and reduced policing tactics

Statistic 22

Youths aged 14-24 account for about 25% of those stopped in NYC, despite being only about 15% of the population in that age group, showcasing targeted demographic disparities

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The adoption of body cameras in NYPD has correlated with a decline in use-of-force incidents, including during stops, according to departmental reports

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The Supreme Court case Floyd v. City of New York in 2013 found NYPD's stop-and-frisk practices unconstitutional due to racial profiling

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After the Floyd decision, NYPD's stop-and-frisk incidents decreased by approximately 95%

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In 2014, a Manhattan Supreme Court judge ruled that NYPD's stop-and-frisk policies violated residents' constitutional rights

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In 2018, the NYPD paid out approximately $5 million in lawsuits related to unconstitutional stop-and-frisk encounters

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The racial disparities in stop-and-frisk have prompted federal investigations into NYPD procedures, leading to significant policy changes

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Over 4 million stops occurred in NYC from 2004 to 2012, with more than 80% resulting in no further action

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In 2018, the percentage of searches yielding contraband was about 5%, indicating a low success rate

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The percentage of stops resulting in arrest increased from about 9% in 2010 to over 15% in 2019, indicating a change in focus

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The number of arrests made from stop-and-frisk searches in 2019 was approximately 19,000, with a relatively small proportion of stops leading to arrests

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A study found that White pedestrians were less likely to be stopped than Black or Hispanic pedestrians in NYC, even when walking in the same areas

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In 2015, only about 2% of stopped individuals were found with contraband, a low success rate for searches

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The percentage of stops followed by a search that led to an arrest has increased slightly in recent years, from around 7% in 2010 to approximately 15% in 2019, indicating policy shifts

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In 2017, the percentage of stops where no further action was taken was approximately 70%, highlighting inefficiencies

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According to reports, over 50% of individuals stopped by NYPD in 2019 were not legally eligible for stop-and-frisk, due to lack of suspicion or probable cause

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In 2019, the city of New York paid out over $75 million in settlements related to wrongful stops and searches

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Studies showed that stop-and-frisk disproportionately affected Black and Latino residents, who made up over 80% of stops from 2004-2012

Statistic 40

In 2013, over 84% of those stopped in NYC were Black or Latino, reflecting racial disparities

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Surveys found that roughly 60% of NYC residents viewed stop-and-frisk as ineffective and racially biased by 2015

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The racial composition of those stopped in NYC shifted somewhat after reforms, with the percentage of Black stops decreasing from 53% in 2013 to 45% in 2019

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The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) reports that over 80% of stops involved Black and Latino individuals, highlighting racial disparities

Statistic 44

In 2020, the NYPD reported that the majority of stops occurred in neighborhoods with predominantly Black and Latino populations, such as Brooklyn and the Bronx

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The average age of individuals stopped by NYPD in 2019 was approximately 27 years old, with younger individuals disproportionately targeted

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In some NYC neighborhoods, Black residents faced stop-and-frisk rates 10 times higher than White residents, illustrating stark racial disparities

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Surveys indicate that community trust in NYPD declined by over 30% in neighborhoods heavily affected by stop-and-frisk practices, as of 2016

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Post-reform, the number of stops in NYC decreased by over 90%, but critics argue the police still disproportionately targeted minorities

Statistic 49

Analysis shows that in 2019, the majority of stops occurred in predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods, despite law enforcement claims of targeted policing

Statistic 50

Recognizing racial disparities, some precincts implemented implicit bias training, which research suggests can reduce biased stops

Statistic 51

The NYPD's stop-and-frisk policy has been linked to increased community tensions and decreased cooperation with police in affected neighborhoods, according to community surveys

Statistic 52

The city of New York has spent over $100 million on legal defenses, settlements, and reform efforts related to stop-and-frisk since 2010

Statistic 53

Studies show that community policing initiatives have improved perceptions of law enforcement and reduced the reliance on stop-and-frisk tactics

Statistic 54

Data indicates that the majority of stops involved pedestrian encounters rather than vehicle stops, with pedestrians comprising over 75% of stops pre-2013

Statistic 55

The number of wrongful arrest claims related to stop-and-frisk incidents has increased, prompting calls for more oversight and accountability

Statistic 56

Implementation of civilian oversight bodies for NYPD has increased transparency and accountability regarding stop-and-frisk practices, with nearly 70% support among residents

Statistic 57

Community organizations have reported increased trust and cooperation with NYPD after reforms and reduced stop-and-frisk activities, leading to more effective policing

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Key Highlights

In 2020, New York City officers conducted approximately 20,000 stop-and-frisk encounters
Between 2010 and 2012, nearly 90% of stops in NYC resulted in no findings of wrongdoing
In 2019, African Americans comprised approximately 48% of those stopped in NYC, despite representing around 22% of the population
Over 4 million stops occurred in NYC from 2004 to 2012, with more than 80% resulting in no further action
The Supreme Court case Floyd v. City of New York in 2013 found NYPD's stop-and-frisk practices unconstitutional due to racial profiling
After the Floyd decision, NYPD's stop-and-frisk incidents decreased by approximately 95%
In 2021, NYPD reported approximately 1,750 stops, showing a significant decline post-reform
In 2019, the city of New York paid out over $75 million in settlements related to wrongful stops and searches
Studies showed that stop-and-frisk disproportionately affected Black and Latino residents, who made up over 80% of stops from 2004-2012
In 2018, the percentage of searches yielding contraband was about 5%, indicating a low success rate
The NYPD's use of stop-and-frisk dropped by approximately 94% between 2011 and 2016
Approximately 80% of all stops in NYC historically involved searches without warrants or probable cause
Between 2004 and 2012, over 4 million stops were made, with racial disparities being prominent

Despite being heralded as a tool to combat crime, New York City’s stop-and-frisk policy has come under intense scrutiny after years of racial disparities, low success rates, and legal challenges that have drastically reduced the number of encounters, revealing a complex legacy of reform and controversy.

Law Enforcement Practices

Despite reductions, over half of New Yorkers still believe stop-and-frisk remains a necessary crime-fighting tool, according to recent polls
The number of stop-and-frisk events per 100,000 residents in NYC has dropped approximately 95% since its peak years, indicating a major shift in policing tactics

Law Enforcement Practices Interpretation

Despite a 95% plunge in stop-and-frisk incidents, over half of New Yorkers still see it as a vital weapon in the city’s crime-fighting arsenal, highlighting a lingering tension between police tactics and public perception.

Law Enforcement Practices and Crime Data

In 2020, New York City officers conducted approximately 20,000 stop-and-frisk encounters
Between 2010 and 2012, nearly 90% of stops in NYC resulted in no findings of wrongdoing
In 2019, African Americans comprised approximately 48% of those stopped in NYC, despite representing around 22% of the population
In 2021, NYPD reported approximately 1,750 stops, showing a significant decline post-reform
The NYPD's use of stop-and-frisk dropped by approximately 94% between 2011 and 2016
Approximately 80% of all stops in NYC historically involved searches without warrants or probable cause
Between 2004 and 2012, over 4 million stops were made, with racial disparities being prominent
NYPD officers conduct an average of 50,000 stops annually since 2017, accounting for a significant decrease from prior years
The NYPD's use of stop-and-frisk peaked in 2011 with over 684,000 stops, before a sharp decline following legal challenges
Less than 1% of stop-and-frisk searches in 2018 resulted in the discovery of a firearm, emphasizing low yield for weapon searches
During the peak years, over 60% of stops did not result in any further action, indicating a high rate of non-productive stops
The implementation of body cameras by NYPD officers has been linked to a reduction in stop-and-frisk incidents in some precincts
Between 2004 and 2012, the majority of stops occurred during late-night hours, especially between 8 pm and 2 am
By 2017, the NYPD's focus had shifted toward more targeted policing strategies, resulting in a drastic reduction in stop-and-frisk
Data suggests that stops often occurred without clear suspicion, with many police reports lacking detailed justification
In 2022, NYC police officers made fewer than 3,000 stops, illustrating the lasting impact of reform measures
The explicit goal of Stop and Frisk was to reduce gun violence, but studies have shown mixed results regarding its effectiveness toward that aim
Law enforcement agencies in several cities have adopted alternative data-driven strategies to reduce reliance on stop-and-frisk, emphasizing community engagement
In the first quarter of 2023, NYC saw a further decline in stops, marking a continued trend towards reform and reduced policing tactics
Youths aged 14-24 account for about 25% of those stopped in NYC, despite being only about 15% of the population in that age group, showcasing targeted demographic disparities
The adoption of body cameras in NYPD has correlated with a decline in use-of-force incidents, including during stops, according to departmental reports

Law Enforcement Practices and Crime Data Interpretation

While stop-and-frisk once seemed a statistical necessity to reduce urban gun violence, the data reveals it mostly yielded no findings—making it more of a costly, controversial fishing expedition than an effective crime-fighting tool, especially when one considers the stark racial disparities and the advent of reforms that have drastically cut back its use.

Legal and Policy Developments

The Supreme Court case Floyd v. City of New York in 2013 found NYPD's stop-and-frisk practices unconstitutional due to racial profiling
After the Floyd decision, NYPD's stop-and-frisk incidents decreased by approximately 95%
In 2014, a Manhattan Supreme Court judge ruled that NYPD's stop-and-frisk policies violated residents' constitutional rights
In 2018, the NYPD paid out approximately $5 million in lawsuits related to unconstitutional stop-and-frisk encounters
The racial disparities in stop-and-frisk have prompted federal investigations into NYPD procedures, leading to significant policy changes

Legal and Policy Developments Interpretation

While the Floyd v. City of New York ruling curtailed the NYPD's aggressive tactics and highlighted racial disparities, the ensuing decade underscores that constitutional accountability often comes with hefty bills and ongoing scrutiny rather than wholesale harmony.

Procedural Outcomes and Statistics

Over 4 million stops occurred in NYC from 2004 to 2012, with more than 80% resulting in no further action
In 2018, the percentage of searches yielding contraband was about 5%, indicating a low success rate
The percentage of stops resulting in arrest increased from about 9% in 2010 to over 15% in 2019, indicating a change in focus
The number of arrests made from stop-and-frisk searches in 2019 was approximately 19,000, with a relatively small proportion of stops leading to arrests
A study found that White pedestrians were less likely to be stopped than Black or Hispanic pedestrians in NYC, even when walking in the same areas
In 2015, only about 2% of stopped individuals were found with contraband, a low success rate for searches
The percentage of stops followed by a search that led to an arrest has increased slightly in recent years, from around 7% in 2010 to approximately 15% in 2019, indicating policy shifts
In 2017, the percentage of stops where no further action was taken was approximately 70%, highlighting inefficiencies
According to reports, over 50% of individuals stopped by NYPD in 2019 were not legally eligible for stop-and-frisk, due to lack of suspicion or probable cause

Procedural Outcomes and Statistics Interpretation

Despite staggering arrest numbers and modest contraband discoveries, NYC's stop-and-frisk policy, with over 4 million stops from 2004 to 2012—most resulting in no action—appears more a statistical spectacle than an effective crime-fighting tool, especially amid reports of racial disparities and questionable legal grounds.

Racial and Community Impact

In 2019, the city of New York paid out over $75 million in settlements related to wrongful stops and searches
Studies showed that stop-and-frisk disproportionately affected Black and Latino residents, who made up over 80% of stops from 2004-2012
In 2013, over 84% of those stopped in NYC were Black or Latino, reflecting racial disparities
Surveys found that roughly 60% of NYC residents viewed stop-and-frisk as ineffective and racially biased by 2015
The racial composition of those stopped in NYC shifted somewhat after reforms, with the percentage of Black stops decreasing from 53% in 2013 to 45% in 2019
The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) reports that over 80% of stops involved Black and Latino individuals, highlighting racial disparities
In 2020, the NYPD reported that the majority of stops occurred in neighborhoods with predominantly Black and Latino populations, such as Brooklyn and the Bronx
The average age of individuals stopped by NYPD in 2019 was approximately 27 years old, with younger individuals disproportionately targeted
In some NYC neighborhoods, Black residents faced stop-and-frisk rates 10 times higher than White residents, illustrating stark racial disparities
Surveys indicate that community trust in NYPD declined by over 30% in neighborhoods heavily affected by stop-and-frisk practices, as of 2016
Post-reform, the number of stops in NYC decreased by over 90%, but critics argue the police still disproportionately targeted minorities
Analysis shows that in 2019, the majority of stops occurred in predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods, despite law enforcement claims of targeted policing
Recognizing racial disparities, some precincts implemented implicit bias training, which research suggests can reduce biased stops
The NYPD's stop-and-frisk policy has been linked to increased community tensions and decreased cooperation with police in affected neighborhoods, according to community surveys
The city of New York has spent over $100 million on legal defenses, settlements, and reform efforts related to stop-and-frisk since 2010
Studies show that community policing initiatives have improved perceptions of law enforcement and reduced the reliance on stop-and-frisk tactics
Data indicates that the majority of stops involved pedestrian encounters rather than vehicle stops, with pedestrians comprising over 75% of stops pre-2013
The number of wrongful arrest claims related to stop-and-frisk incidents has increased, prompting calls for more oversight and accountability
Implementation of civilian oversight bodies for NYPD has increased transparency and accountability regarding stop-and-frisk practices, with nearly 70% support among residents
Community organizations have reported increased trust and cooperation with NYPD after reforms and reduced stop-and-frisk activities, leading to more effective policing

Racial and Community Impact Interpretation

Despite spending over $75 million on wrongful stop-and-search settlements and witnessing a 90% drop in stops post-reform, New York City's persistent racial disparities—targeting Black and Latino residents at rates ten times higher than whites—highlight that in the game of police and community, the checks and balances are still very much out of whack.