The father of Sean Bell says he's on a mission to end violence and help other grieving families after his son was killed by police who were eventually acquitted of manslaughter and reckless endangerment charges.

Bell made the remarks while speaking at a fundraiser Saturday in the West Village to support a family who claims their son died while in police custody.

Kenny Lazo, 25, was found dead in a jail cell after Suffolk County police arrested him in 2008.

Although the district attorney did not file charges against the officers involved, the family alleges Lazo was beaten by police.

Bell says police are too quick to use force when handling suspects, and urges better communication between the police and the community.

"We got to start having communication, which there isn't," Bell said. "You just can't come into a neighborhood and stand there with your hand on your gun. You got to know who you're dealing with in the neighborhood, because the person you talk to could save your life."

Sean Bell was shot and killed by police on his wedding day in 2006. Next month, on what would have been his 27th birthday, the city will rename that portion of the Queens street where he was gunned down after him.