Former New York City law enforcement agent Lou Palumbo believes the recent eight percent increase in shootings in New York City is "most definitely" a result of ending the controversial "stop-and-frisk" program.
"Unfortunately, stop-and-frisk is a very necessary tool in eliminating firearms or handguns or whatever form of weapon they are using in the street," Palumbo said, debating the policy with Marc Lamont Hill on CNN's New Day.
Palumbo pointed to his own experience in law enforcement as evidence: "When Bill Bratton first came into his job as police commissioner approximately 20 years ago, we had over 2,200 homicides in the city every year. Stop-and-frisk was one of the most effective tools that was implemented. We reduced the homicides to approximately 500. You cannot arbitrate that, Marc, that is the statistical truth."
Palumbo argued that the reason for the "lag time" between the suspension of the policy a year ago and the recent increase in shootings is that "It takes a little bit of time until it filters to the street that the police are in the hands off mode."
"The simple truth of the matter is the individuals that carry out these acts with firearms realize now that the police have been instructed to lay off."
Although Palumbo agreed with Lamont Hill that there are a range of other factors and policing tools involved, he maintained, "There's no substitute for stopping and frisking people if you're looking for guns."