In the Shadow of the Police: A Geospatial and Statistical Analysis of Stop, Frisk and Search in Relation to Location of Harm Reduction and HIV Treatment Services in New York City

Background and Purpose: There is growing recognition among researchers and policymakers that increased scrutiny by the police by virtue of excessive arrests and detention deter people who inject drugs from utilizing syringe exchange programs, methadone maintenance programs, treatment for HIV, and other harm reduction services. Structural factors beyond the individual including police practices are important determinants of the uptake of HIV prevention and harm reduction services among people who inject drugs. The following study addresses a gap in existing research by employing statistical and geospatial analytic techniques to examine stop, frisk, and search practices in close proximity to methadone maintenance, syringe exchange and HIV treatment programs in New York City (NYC) from 2011-2014.

Methods: Data: Locations and hours of service for mobile and stationary syringe exchange programs, methadone maintenance programs, and HIV treatment centers were obtained through several publically available online service directories (NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the United States Methadone Registry, The New York State Department of Health and The NYC Network of Care) and geocoded in ArcGIS. Data on NYC Police Department Stop, Frisk and Search policing practices from 2011-2014 were downloaded from nyc.gov and merged with census tract level rates of poverty.

Analytic strategy: First, this study generates several maps to examine spatial characteristics of stop frisk and search practices within 1500 feet of service providers in relation to the rest of the city. Second, this study applies descriptive and multivariable analytic techniques to pinpoint factors that predict distance within a 1500 foot radius between stop, frisk and search policing encounters and service locations after adjusting for several demographic and criminological variables.  

Results: Using a sample of over 1.2 million incidents of stop, frisk and search data and 154 locations of harm reduction and HIV treatment providers, this study found a statistically significant increase in stop frisk and search procedures within close proximity of harm reduction and HIV prevention program locations throughout New York City. Compared to the rest of NYC, individuals who are stopped within 1500 feet of harm reduction and HIV prevention programs are more likely (p<.001) to experience stops for drug possession or distribution but are less likely to have these incidents substantiated with legal action (p<.05). Results of a linear regression found that drug crimes, black race, being in a census tract with high rates of poverty and younger age (< 25 years) predicted closer distances between police stops and locations of harm reduction services.

Conclusion and Implications: While the findings suggest that locations of critical services for people who inject drugs are hotbeds for stop, search and frisk policing, future research is in order that assesses the impact of police practices on the utilization of HIV and harm reduction services in New York City. Understanding the impact of police practices on service utilization among people who inject drugs is essential for social workers working in the areas of HIV prevention and substance abuse treatment.