NYC apologizes for billing man killed by police
NEW YORK (AP) — New York City officials have apologized for sending a collection letter to a man who was killed by a police cruiser, billing him $710 for the damage his body did to the vehicle.
Tamon Robinson died in April during a police chase in Brooklyn. Officers had caught the 23-year-old digging up paving stones, and he was fleeing on foot when he was hit by the cruiser.
Then, last month, Robinson's mother got a letter from a law firm retained by the city. It was addressed to her dead son and demanded that he pay for the damage within 10 days.
Robinson's mother tells The Daily News she is outraged.
A spokeswoman for the city's law department tells The New York Times the notice never should have been sent.
Tamon Robinson died in April during a police chase in Brooklyn. Officers had caught the 23-year-old digging up paving stones, and he was fleeing on foot when he was hit by the cruiser.
Then, last month, Robinson's mother got a letter from a law firm retained by the city. It was addressed to her dead son and demanded that he pay for the damage within 10 days.
Robinson's mother tells The Daily News she is outraged.
A spokeswoman for the city's law department tells The New York Times the notice never should have been sent.
I think that billing him is appropriate.
 @RalphCramdenÂ
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Had this man been a bystander or Good Samaritan, I agree the billing was inappropriate.
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But he was in the act of committing a crime (fleeing law enforcement) after being caught committing a crime (stealing pavers).
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It's like not being able to collect damages from a person who breaks into your home through a door, then when they break another door fleeing when you catch them they get hurt.
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If this man has any estate, that estate needs to pay for the damage he caused.
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Isn't this the same city who billed the mother for towing and cleaning the street after her daughter was hit by a drunk driver and killed?
But, did she pay it?
Oh,...wait a minute....so he was stealing,...fled from officers, and was accidentally hit while trying to escape. Â
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He, his estate, should pay for damage. Â
He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Committing a crime will do that it seems.
There ya go. Who ever is in that law department - should be mayor .
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And whoever is in the police department - that bills dead people mowed down by police cars - should - well, uhm er....