Mayor Predicts Peaceful Reaction to Bell Verdict

With tensions high ahead of tomorrow's verdict in the Sean Bell trial, Mayor Bloomberg is moving to reassure New Yorkers that the city will be peaceful regardless of the judge's decision.

"I'm not worried at all," Mr. Bloomberg said yesterday in Queens, responding to a reporter's question about possible unrest following the verdict. "I think people in this city have come a long way from the time when people rushed into the streets and tried to tear apart society."

Three police officers face charges stemming from the shooting of Bell, an unarmed man killed by police in Queens in late 2006.

In 2000, about 100 people were arrested during protests following the acquittal of four police officers in the Amadou Diallo case. Diallo, an unarmed West African immigrant, was shot 19 times by police who said they thought he was reaching for a gun.

Yesterday, Mr. Bloomberg staged a meeting with the Reverend Al Sharpton, talking briefly with him on the steps of City Hall, where Rev. Sharpton was holding a rally in support of a guilty verdict for the accused police officers. Mr. Bloomberg also spoke with Bell's fiancée, Nicole Paultre-Bell, who was at the event.

Mr. Bloomberg said he told Ms. Paultre-Bell, "Nothing anybody could ever say can bring back the man that you were in love with. We just got to build and make things better." He said she responded: "Yes, and make sure it doesn't happen again."