Dinkins, Rangel Throw Support Behind Thompson, Call Stop-and-Frisk ‘Helpful’

This article was written by C. Zawadi Morris.

Former New York City mayor David Dinkins and Rep. Charles Rangel endorsed Bill Thompson for mayor on Monday in Harlem while also voicing their support for stop-and-frisk, The New York Post reported.   

The city’s first black mayor defended Police Commissioner Ray Kelly and stop-and-frisk policies, saying he “trusts” Kelly and calling the searches helpful in reducing gun violence. 
“That doesn’t mean Ray can’t make mistakes. We got a lot of police out there and they’re not all perfect,” said Dinkins, but “clearly, it’s a good thing if we can get weapons off the street.” 

Rangel echoed his support for the controversial policy, adding, as long as the cops follow the law: 

“If there is anybody in law enforcement who has reason to believe that someone is carrying a weapon . . . they have a duty based on the evidence they have to search and find out,” said Rangel. 

Thompson also has supported stop-and-frisk in the past, calling it a “useful policing tool as long as it is not misused and abused.”