Police Commissioner Ray Kelly Thursday night hailed the federal appeals court decision that blocked the stop-and-frisk ruling — saying it will benefit everyone who lives in the city.
“This is indeed an important decision for all New Yorkers and for the men and women of the NYPD who work very hard day in and day out to keep this city safe,” Kelly said outside New York Hospital, where he visited ailing former Mayor David Dinkins.
“I have always been, and I haven’t been alone, concerned about the partiality of Judge [Shira] Scheindlin and we look forward to the examination of this case — a fair and impartial review of this case based on the merits.”
Republican mayoral candidate Joe Lhota released a statement that began with the word, “Bravo!”
On WPIX-TV Friday, Lhota said the decision is a turning point in the mayor’s race.
“The entire core of his campaign just fell apart yesterday,” Lhota said of rival Bill de Blasio, who slammed the appeals court decision. “He ran the entire Democratic primary on stop question and frisk.”
“I’m extremely disappointed in today’s decision. We shouldn’t have to wait for reforms that both keep our communities safe and obey the Constitution,” de Blasio said.
Grieving Brooklyn mom Natasha Christopher, whose son Akeal was gunned down last year on his 15th birthday, told The Post, “I’m happy it’s back in place.”
“More mothers will be burying their children if you stop the cops from doing their job,” she warned.
The police union applauded the decision to boot Scheindlin from the case.
“We salute the judges who made this courageous decision to remove an obviously biased judge from this case,” said PBA president Pat Lynch.
A police source added, “It’s a good first step back from the world of unicorns and rainbows that this judge lives in.”
Jonathan Moore, one of the lead plaintiff lawyers in the case, ripped the ruling.
“I was shocked. The decision … is unprecedented and a travesty of justice” said.
“The appeals judges are saying to the citizens of New York City, the same way [President Gerald] Ford said years ago, ‘Drop Dead.’ Your civil rights aren’t important.”