Letitia James calls out NYPD for ‘unequal’ social distancing enforcement of minorities

New York Attorney General Letitia James said Wednesday she is looking into reports that the NYPD is targeting minorities for aggressive enforcement of social distancing.

“The apparent unequal enforcement of social distancing policies is deeply troubling, and deepens the divide between law enforcement and the people they are tasked to protect,” James said in a statement.

“It is inherently wrong to aggressively police one group of people, yet ignore another group that commits the same infraction,” James continued. “The NYPD must better ensure that a New Yorker’s race, color, and neighborhood does not determine how they are patrolled.”

James called on the NYPD to address the issue as reports and videos have surfaced on social media showing violent arrests during social distancing calls in black and Hispanic neighborhoods.