Anti-crime units in New York City are still stopping and searching too many people unlawfully, according to a recent report. The findings come just months before the mayoral election, where public safety is expected to be a major talking point.

The report, filed by a court-appointed monitor, revealed that the N.Y.P.D.’s anti-crime units conducted illegal stops at least 25% of the time in 2023. Even more concerning, supervisors often failed to spot or address these violations. Despite efforts to reform the department’s practices, progress has been slow.

This isn’t the first time the N.Y.P.D. has come under scrutiny for its stop-and-frisk tactics. Back in 2013, a federal court ruled the practice unconstitutional and appointed an independent monitor to oversee changes. While some improvements have been made, the latest report shows there’s still a lot of work to be done.

With the mayoral election approaching, the findings could spark debates about policing and public safety in the city. The N.Y.P.D. has faced its share of challenges recently, including leadership changes and internal scandals. How the department responds to these findings could shape its future—and the city’s.