To say that Mayor Bill de Blasio is under a lot of pressure to reform policing in New York City would be an understatement. Among the myriad issues and complaints against the NYPD, a recent report shows that New York’s finest has arrested a disproportionate number of minorities for marijuana possession. In response to public uproar, De Blasio announced last week that the NYPD will be making major changes. First and foremost, they will no longer be arresting people for possessing small amounts of weed.
Unequal Policing in New York City
A report on “Marijuana, Fairness and Public Safety” released by the New York District Attorney’s office looks at federal and state-level marijuana policies. It highlights the persistent racial disparities in marijuana arrests in New York City and offers the police some advice.
According to District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr., 86 percent of the 16,925 people arrested for marijuana possession were people of color. This breaks down to 38 percent Hispanic and 48 percent African-American. For context, 53 percent of New Yorkers are Black or Hispanic according to a recent census.