Real safety comes from a police department that follows the law and respects people's fundamental rights, building trust with communities rather than undermining it. This week's historic ruling is a tremendous step in the right direction.

For the millions of innocent men and women like them, who have been accosted by the police over the past ten years, in what are often belligerent and demeaning encounters, and then let go without any explanation or apology, this ruling let them know that they still have a voice.

Does Mayor Bloomberg honestly believe that the city is safer targeting people like me, a middle-aged college professor, mother and journalist? On several occasions I've been suspected of wrong-doing for simply driving while black.

A judge has ruled that the NYPD's controversial use of the stop-and-frisk tactic violated the rights of thousands of New Yorkers. Judge Shira Scheindlin's decision Monday called for a federal monitor to watch over the police department to ensure cops are in compliance with the constitution.