Sean Bell Way

The NYC Council is fighting amongst themselves over the decision to rename a Queens street after Sean Bell, the twice-arrested drug dealer who was shot at 50 times by the NYPD after they mistakenly (they say) thought he was reaching for a gun. Bell was killed and his case resulted in major reforms in NYPD procedures, although the firing officers were found not guilty of manslaughter.

Council members who voted in favor of the bill argued that the renaming was not simply a remembrance of a life cut short, but also a reminder of the steps the city took in the aftermath of the shooting. The department created a special panel to examine procedures for undercover police officers and made changes, including requiring breath tests for officers who fire their weapons. “This is a commemoration of a tragic event that got international attention and created a lot of reforms,” said Councilman Leroy G. Comrie Jr., a Democrat who represents the neighborhood where the shooting took place. A handful of council members opposed the measure, arguing that the Bell case did not fit the criteria for street memorials. “We use a street renaming as a way of recognizing someone’s heroic actions, whether in life or death,” said Councilman Eric Ulrich, a Queens Republican. “However tragic Sean Bell’s death was, I don’t believe his life or his death was heroic.”

Sean Bell Way was included in a bill authorizing numerous other name changes and could not be voted on independently. Queens Councilman Peter Vallone: "It's a despicable position we're being placed in. There is nothing about [Bell's death] that reflects positively on the city. He's a criminal. He was driving drunk."

Led by Al Sharpton, protesters poured into the NYC streets after the officers' 2008 acquittal. A multi-million dollar civil suit against the city and the NYPD is proceeding. Since his death, Sean Bell has been paid musical tribute by numerous rappers. And now, by a street sign in Queens.