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Police Chief Miguel Exposito slumped silently against a wall, his hands clasped tight behind his back, as a parade of family members of men killed by his department petitioned the City Commission last night for one thing: Exposito’s head.
“I have two sons myself and I’m asking you for their sake for this stuff to stop,” said Wesley Belizaire, who’s brother, Gibson, was killed in October. “There have to be some changes in this department.”
Supporters of the family members packed City Hall and later waved white signs reading: “Exposito Must Go.” Many echoed a similar theme: Since the first shooting under Exposito’s watch last summer, the department has been unresponsive to their requests for basic information about their loved ones deaths, they say.
“They said the chief wanted to talk to me, but he never called,” said Aaron Foster, who’s son, Brandon, was killed in December.
The City Commission — minus Francis Suarez, who was absent — listened quietly to the pleas for Exposito’s firing.
For the families, answers were as hard to come by in City Hall as they have been in Overtown, Little Haiti and Allapattah since last summer.
Exposito didn’t speak at the meeting and Paul Philip, the retired FBI chief hired to investigate the shootings, told commissioners that his report was still in the works.
“We’re still looking for justice,” said Sheila McNeil, who’s son, Travis, was killed in a February shooting.
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