Massive Stop-and-Frisk problem in Charlottesville -- for blacks

Blacks in Charlottesville have been suspected of a crime by police and pulled aside for a warrantless patdown, known as a stop-and-frisk, at more than twice the rate of whites in the past 18 months, according to a report documenting the procedure’s use.

In fact, blacks were frisked in 70 percent of roughly 140 patdowns, police Chief Timothy J. Longo told the City Council during a presentation Monday. Whites were frisked in 29 percent of the patdowns.

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Patdowns happen when an officer believes a suspect might be armed.

“Stop-and-frisk happens all the time,” said local criminal defense attorney and former Albemarle County prosecutor Scott Goodman. “It’s a routine part of law enforcement.”

Of city police patdowns since late 2012, 46 percent were initiated by a dispatcher directing officers. Police initiated the remaining 54 percent.

Longo’s report did not state the number of people cited or arrested following the stops.

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