By Craig Giammona
And while some leaders in southeast Queens expressed disappointment that the mayor failed to mention the shooting, most said they were not surprised, specifically because the grand jury had already been empaneled and was expected to begin hearing testimony shortly.”I'm saddened but not surprised,” said Councilman James Sanders (D-Laurelton). “He viewed it as a chance to highlight the forward direction of the city, but I do believe the mayor is underestimating the depth of the problem.”Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans), however, said he was not upset by the mayor's omission. “The mayor has been sensitized to the need to improve police procedures,” Comrie said. “I'm confident he's gotten that message.”Bloomberg made no direct reference to the Bell shooting in his speech on Jan. 17, although he did announce a plan to increase funding for Civilian Review Complaint Boards.In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Bloomberg was credited for his response to the incident.Bell, who was unarmed, was shot early on a Saturday morning outside a Jamaica club where a team of undercover officers was investigating accusations that the bar catered to prostitution. In all, five officers fired 50 bullets, killing Bell and seriously injuring two of his friends. That Monday, a large group of black leaders, including Rev. Al Sharpton, met with Bloomberg at City Hall. Bloomberg emerged from the meeting and described the 50 shots police fired at Bell as “excessive,” drawing criticism from the police unions.The next day Bloomberg met with Bell's family before traveling to another meeting with community leaders at Thomasina's on Linden Boulevard. And while Bloomberg's omission of the Bell shooting from his State of City address was clearly noticeable, some in southeast Queens said it was irrelevant. Rev. Charles Norris, of the Bethesda Baptist Church, cited the ongoing grand jury process as one reason Bloomberg did not raise the incident. Norris said any comment by Bloomberg could be used by lawyers for the officers to argue for a change of venue, a prospect that many in southeast Queens believe would guarantee that the officers, if they are charged, would be exonerated.”It's better that he didn't say anything,” Norris said. Still, Bloomberg's omission was interpreted by some in southeast Queens as evidence that the incident has not resonated outside New York's black community. While few have argued that the shooting was racially motivated – a diverse groups of officers was involved – many in southeast Queens view the shooting as emblematic of a systemic culture of disrespect toward minorities that pervades the police department.”It was two months ago, so yeah, I think he should have said something,” said Eric Daniels, a resident of Springfield Gardens, who was shopping on Jamaica Avenue Friday.Reach reporter Craig Giammona by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 146.
