Support for aggressive stop-and-frisk policy in NYC: does perceived policy effectiveness and perceived disparate treatment explain observed racial and ethnic divides?

Abstract

Prior research finds a fairly consistent racial and ethnic divide between Blacks and Whites, Blacks and Hispanics and Whites and Hispanics on issues of perceived injustice and crime policy preference. This study examines racial and ethnic variation, among a sample of New York City residents, in public views toward an aggressive stop-and-frisk policy. The study first explores whether there are racial and ethnic differences in perceptions that the stop-and-frisk policy is effective at reducing violent crime and gun offenses, and whether there are racial and ethnic differences in perceptions that police treat Blacks and Hispanics differently than Whites. The study then seeks to establish racial and ethnic divides between Blacks and Whites, Blacks and Hispanics, and Hispanics and Whites on support for the aggressive stop-and-frisk policy. Once these racial and ethnic divides in policy support are identified, the study explores whether perceptions of policy effectiveness (most likely held by Whites and Hispanics) and disparate treatment (most likely held by Blacks) account for the racial and ethnic divides in policy support. The study provides a discussion of the findings and their implications for future research and for discussions of racially and ethnically laden policy issues.