Epilogue

The epilogue explores the impact of the Trump administration on policing in America. While New York City moved to strengthen ties between police and the community, the same cannot be said of the federal government. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, with the support of President Donald Trump, has seemed keen on a return to the very same “tough on crime” policies that marred previous decades.

The Invisible

This chapter examines the experiences of the more achievement-oriented young people of the neighborhood, those “invisible youths” who may not be found out on the street, playing in the parks, or occupying other public spaces. These young adults have effectively been driven indoors through a combination of neighborhood violence and an aggressive police presence. In particular, this chapter highlights the experiences of two groups of young adults in the neighborhood: the “Achievers,” a group that often avoids creating community ties as a protective mechanism, and the “Line-Toers,” those who try to reconcile community ties with their own personal aspirations.

Introduction

This chapter defines what aggressive policing means in New York City by focusing on the rise and subsequent decrease in the use of “stop, question, and frisk” as a viable tactic. Additionally, it provides a historical account of the role of police in New York City communities, documenting the transformation of police practices over the decades. This opening chapter will also introduce the neighborhood of focus and how the author went about conducting the research.

Losing Your Right to the City

This chapter explores the unanticipated consequences of aggressive policing and looks into some potential policy recommendations. The author ties in interview data from outside stakeholders, like a New York City Housing Authority Tenant Association president and a high-ranking assistant district attorney from the Bronx District Attorney’s office, in order to help illustrate exactly what type of impact aggressive policing can have on outcomes such as securing a conviction. As the data suggests, these police tactics can significantly affect a prosecutor’s ability to obtain witness testimony as well as receive a favorable decision from a jury.

Policing Immigrant Communities

This chapter focuses on the experiences of recent immigrants (1.5 and second generation included) in the neighborhood. The life stories of “Kwesi,” “Saikou,” “Gauri,” “Adriana,” “Manny,” and “Ralphie,” originate from five countries spread across three continents; with some having spent a significant amount of time in the country of origin, others only getting glimpses of their parents’ country through secondhand stories told at the dinner table. Through these narratives, this chapter details how their lack of social capital in the neighborhood, coupled with the strength of ethnic group ties, can work to provide a protective buffer between immigrant groups and police.

Growing Up under Surveillance

This chapter explores the experiences of young adults who have been involved with the court system. These justice-involved young adults have often experienced some of the harshest treatment from police. Aggressive policing tactics not only introduce new faces to the criminal justice system, but, as this chapter illustrates, also keep those attempting to avoid reincarceration entangled in its web.

Parenting the Dispossessed

This chapter discusses the experiences of local parents, who, although they are generally not the targets of aggressive policing, experience an acute form of trauma vicariously through their children. Many of these parents have developed a set of coping skills to help them deal with the emotional toll of having a son or daughter handcuffed and taken away, and, on a more pragmatic level, of navigating the criminal justice system when these situations occur.