Barneys and Macy’s No-Shows at a City Hearing

The City Council hearing was notable for its absences: No representative from Barneys New York or Macy’s appeared on Wednesday to discuss accusations of racial profiling against shoppers at their Manhattan stores. Nor did anyone show up from the Police Department, which has been criticized by black shoppers who have been detained at the stores.

Without the major players to question, council members were left to wonder aloud about the security practices of the retail companies and the extent of their collaboration with the police.

The stores and the city are facing suits by at least three shoppers who said they bought expensive items only to be accosted shortly after by officers and accused of a crime. None of the three were charged. 

Officials from Macy’s and Barneys were invited to appear at the hearing and both stores provided written statements to the Council. The stores have denied any involvement in the cases that have so far come to light, blaming the police. The department has said its officers acted on information from store employees. 

The hearing included testimony from the Rev. Al Sharpton, civil liberties groups and Patricia L. Gatling, the commissioner of the city’s Commission on Human Rights. She announced an inquiry into security policies at Macy’s, Barneys and 15 other major retailers in New York. 

After the hearing, Councilman Jumaane D. Williams expressed frustration at the no-shows by the companies or the police, but said, “I think we made sure this doesn’t just go away.”