Police Commissioner Ray Kelly today strongly defended the NYPD’s crime-fighting strategies — saying they’ve saved the lives of thousands of young, minority men.

Kelly made his case for “stop and frisk” during an address to Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network’s 15th annual convention at the Sheraton midtown.

“There are 7,364 fewer murders,” Kelly said, referring to the last 12 years. “They are largely the lives of young men of color.”

And he stressed that murders are down 30 percent this year and shootings have dropped 25 percent thus far.

Kelly was cordially received despite skepticism over “stop and frisk.” Top NAN officials were seen posing for photos with Kelly following his speech.

But Sharpton said, “We are still vehemently opposed to stop and frisk. You and I will continue to have that debate.”

Afterwards, Kelly said stop and frisk is an effective tool and said criticism of its overuse has been “blown out of proportion.”

“I’ve been having this conversation with Rev. Sharpton for 35 years,” said Kelly.