Stop and Frisk: "Say It like It Is"

Abstract

Out of the dialogue currently being waged concerning powers and limitations in relation to police activity, there has emerged one concept which I believe should have the support of both schools of thought-the law enforcement oriented individual as well as the civil libertarian. I support the basic concept1 of the American Law Institute's so-called stop and frisk proposala as the practical solution to some problems of law enforcement as well as an advantage to some innocent citizens in their dealings with the police. Say it like it is. This admonition, frequently used by teenagers, suggests that the younger generation questions our ability to describe things as they are rather than as we think they are or as they should be. The more articles I read relating to stop and frisk the more I am inclined to agree with the teenagers. Every night in many cities throughout our land a police officer will have the following experience, with variations: At 2:00 a.m. a man will attempt to hold up a filling station, grapple with and fatally shoot one of two attendants, lose his revolver in the struggle, run to an automobile parked nearby, and take off alone in what the second filling station attendant describes as a light Chevrolet coupe, 1964 or 1965 vintage. The gunman will be described as a young Caucasian wearing a dark hat. This much will go over the police radio and all units will be alerted. Five minutes later, two miles away from the filling station a police car responding to the call and heading toward the station will pass a light 1964 Chevrolet coupe going in the opposite direc-