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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Samy Feliz, Representative from Justice Committee
9:44:23
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178 sec
Samy Feliz, representing the Justice Committee, testified about police misconduct, the need for increased funding for non-police public safety solutions, and full funding for the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB). He shared personal experiences related to police violence and criticized the misuse of city resources.
- Highlighted the case of NYPD Lieutenant Rivera, who has a record of misconduct but remains on duty
- Called for $61 million investment in non-police public safety solutions, including mental health services
- Emphasized the need for full funding of the CCRB to address increasing police misconduct complaints
Samy Feliz
9:44:23
Good evening.
9:44:24
My name is Sammy Feliz, and I'm representing the justice committee, a grassroot organization committed to ending police violence and system systemic racism in New York City.
9:44:35
I was born and raised in Washington Heights and in the Bronx, and to me, public safety is very personal.
9:44:40
My brother, Alan Feliz, was killed by NYPD lieutenant Rivera and officers Almanzar and Barrett in 2,019.
9:44:48
Lieutenant Rivera, has since been promoted despite a record of 41 misconduct allegation, two fatal shootings, has received over 1,600,000.0 in salary and benefits from 2020 to 2024.
9:45:02
This is an an egregious misuse of city money, and if it is not keeping New Yorkers safe.
9:45:08
Lieutenant Rivera continues to patrol the street despite the fact that the CCRB and NYPD commissioner of trials have recommended he be fired.
9:45:17
The city resources have been wasted to fund lieutenant Rivera's abuse of New Yorkers, and this is not an exception.
9:45:24
The CCRB's twenty twenty four annual report shows that police misconduct complaints are at the highest since 2012 and has been increasing annually under mayor Adams.
9:45:34
Along with the NYPD's budget, last year, NYPD paid out over 200,000,000 in police misconduct settlements.
9:45:43
Instead of continuing to flood the city resources into policing and criminalization, we are calling on the city council to invest in services that will actually increase safety and well-being for our communities.
9:45:55
The justice committee supports the city council's progressive caucus call for an investment of 61,000,000 in true non police public safety solutions.
9:46:03
This includes 22,000,000 to create more intensive mobile treatment teams and 7,000,000 for more forensic assertive community treatment teams, both which will have long wait list and also includes 6,000,000 for new respite centers and and 9,000,000 for expanded mobile syringe services.
9:46:22
These investments will be life changing for New Yorkers.
9:46:25
Last year, Wynn Resort
Darren Mack
9:46:26
time has expired.
Samy Feliz
9:46:26
And NYPD officer Salvatorial Longi and Matthews Young Ferranco in front of his family while struggling with mental health complexities.
9:46:35
Wynn's family believes that if trained, mental health workers would have responded Wynn's call rather than an NYPD, he would have had access to quality mental health services.
9:46:45
He would still be alive today.
9:46:47
We're calling for the city council to fully fund the civilian complaint review board along with the the obstruction by the NYPD and lieutenants police union.
9:46:55
The CCRB's lack of funding contributed to my
Darren Mack
9:46:57
Your time has expired.
Samy Feliz
9:46:58
For over half a decade.
9:47:01
And my family's experience is not unique, especially given to historic high rates of police misconduct under the current administration.
9:47:08
The CCRB must be given the funding that it needs to do its job.
9:47:12
Even if it's funded at 44,000,000, the CCRB's budget would only be point 7% of the NYPD's budget.
9:47:20
Thank you.