New York City has agreed to pay about $170,000 to nine people who claimed they were bullied during police patrols of public housing projects.
The citizens were among a group of tenants who filed a federal class-action lawsuit challenging aggressive police tactics to combat trespassing in housing authority apartment towers.
They said police routinely searched or detained people without cause, and harassed black and Hispanic visitors in a way that would never be tolerated in white neighborhoods.
The New York Times reports that the payments will range from $5,000 to $75,000 per person.
The settlements don't cover every plaintiff in the lawsuit, which is still headed for trial.
The NYPD says it is working with tenant leaders and has already overhauled procedures in response to complaints.
