Those castigating the NYPD as bigots with itchy trigger fingers are conveniently ignoring the fact that New York has become a much safer place for New Yorkers of all races. In fact, the crackdown on crime has benefited blacks more than it has whites. By 1999, that number had been slashed by two-thirds, to 356. For example, the use of force by the police has declined dramatically, with less than 1 percent of the officers using their weapons in 1998, a 25 percent drop from 1993's total. Shootings by police officers declined 67 percent over the same period.
Civilian complaints are down too.
Unfortunately, these facts don't square with Al Sharpton's political agenda. This is necessary to put pressure on the federal government so that they know that our lives are on the line.