'The police department has been racially insensitive to this family and has treated this family with no respect and has violated their civil rights,' Crosland wrote in the intent to sue notice.
The family’s attorney, Darnell Crosland, notified the city of his intent to file a lawsuit accusing police of failing to properly investigate. Get breaking news alerts in the free FOX5NY News app! | Sign up for FOX 5 email newsletters A detective eventually asked them to stop calling, they claim. Police never notified them of her death, which they learned about more than a day later through a note left on her apartment door by her landlord. The family of Smith-Fields said authorities did not give the investigation enough attention because she was Black. 'We are now refocusing our attention and efforts to the factors that (led) to her untimely death,' acting Police Chief Rebeca Garcia said in a statement.
