Res. No. 297
Resolution calling upon the District Attorney, the New York State Attorney General and the United States Department of Justice to launch a full scale independent investigation into the shooting death of Timothy Stansbury by an officer of the New York City Police Department.
By Council Members Seabrook, Barron, Clarke, Foster, James ,Vann and Jackson
Whereas, On January 24, 2004, 19-year-old Timothy Stansbury was fatally shot by a police officer in a stairway to the rooftop of Louis Armstrong Houses in Beford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn; and
Whereas, Richard Neri, a housing officer of the New York City Police Department, fired at the unarmed teenager and caused the death of Stansbury, who tried to use the roof as a shortcut to another building and opened the door of the stairway at the same time as Neri did; and
Whereas, After the incident, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly admitted that the shooting is “apparently unjustified” and Mayor Michael Bloomberg expressed concern regarding the tragedy; and
Whereas, The police officer later avoided indictment by the Grand Jury and is currently on a modified position within the Police Department; and
Whereas, Although the Grand Jury declined to indict Neri for the fatal shooting, the New York City Police Department and several federal prosecutors announced they would review the shooting; and
Whereas, Neri still faces the possibility of Police Department disciplinary charges and federal civil rights probes, as the justification for the shooting and the appropriate use of guns will be reviewed; and
Whereas, The fact that Neri, a white and armed police officer, shot a black and unarmed teenager, angered many residents, and the incident also recalled past police misconduct in other minority communities; and
Whereas, While the crime rate has declined during the past few years, the complaints filed to the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) have soared in the past year, an indication of potential misconduct by police officers; and
Whereas, Whether Timothy Stansbury was the victim of an accident or criminal activity, the NYPD needs to secure public safety by reviewing its gun policy during patrols and improving the training of the use of guns; and
Whereas, Furthermore, the Police Department and the United States Justice Department owe the family and friends of Timothy Stansbury a thorough investigation into this case in order to restore justice and regain the public’s trust toward the Police Department and justice system; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the District Attorney, the New York State Attorney General and the United States Department of Justice to launch a full scale independent investigation into the shooting death of Timothy Stansbury by an officer of the New York City Police Department.