CITY HALL -- Staten Island is not Ferguson, Mo., whatever the grand jury decides in the chokehold death of Eric Garner.

That's the consensus in New York City the day after the violent response to a Missouri grand jury's decision not to indict a police officer for killing an unarmed black teen.

"We've worked together to ensure that we don't have that kind of visceral reaction that happened in Ferguson," said Councilwoman Debi Rose, who represents the district where Garner died. "But it does not minimize the anger."

Garner, a 43-year-old father of six from Port Richmond, died last July after being put in a chokehold during an arrest for allegedly selling untaxed cigarettes in Tompkinsville. In a video of the arrest, Garner can be heard repeatedly telling police officers, "I can't breathe." His death was ruled a homicide.

In September, a special grand jury began hearing evidence to determine if there will be criminal charges against police officers involved in the arrest.

After the Ferguson decision was announced, more than a dozen businesses were badly damaged or destroyed during overnight protests in the area. There were also reports of gunshots, which prevented firefighters from immediately responding to several torched buildings.

Many Staten Island residents said they couldn't imagine this happening on the North Shore, even if officer Daniel Pantaleo isn't charged in Garner's death.

"I'm not with the riots, but I feel like I'm exploding inside," Garner's mother, Gwen Carr, said. "I wouldn't want to see that violence here."

Officials hope that's something Carr and the community won't have to experience. Many have drawn parallels between the Ferguson and Staten Island cases -- both men were black, unarmed and died at the hands of white officers -- but the police response to protests in Missouri has been markedly different than that of the NYPD during recent rallies on the North Shore. Protests after Garner's death have so far been peaceful.

Mayor Bill de Blasio pointed to Monday's march in Manhattan when asked on Tuesday if there were any concerns about the Garner grand jury decision in light of the violence in Ferguson.

"There will be protests, it's part of a democracy. But in this city we respect that," de Blasio said. "We allow protests to happen the right way and, generally speaking, in a way that really fosters non-violence and people participating in their society in the right manner."

'JUSTICE DENIED'

Ms. Rose's office began working with the mayor's office and police officials on Monday to develop a strategy for when the Garner grand jury makes a determination.

While officials are confident in a non-violent response, Ms. Rose said many locals -- herself included -- will be upset if there isn't an indictment.

"It will be very hard to explain to not only this community but communities across the country if the outcome is less than an acknowledgement that this was a wrongful death," Ms. Rose (D-North Shore) said.

The grand jury's decision will be important in determining if justice has been served, Ms. Rose said. The potential of intervention from federal prosecutors will also play a role.

"We're willing to be patient," Ms. Rose said. "But what we're not willing to do is to see justice denied."

The councilwoman said she would attend rallies after the decision. Though many Staten Islanders said these would be peaceful, at least one local thinks lack of restraint might not be a bad thing for protestors.

"Maybe they should tear this place apart," Tompkinsville resident John McCrae said. "Show them how they really feel."

'RESPECT THE PROCESS'

Law enforcement sources said they expect a decision on the Garner grand jury in the coming weeks.

Borough President James Oddo, a Republican, offered guidance to Staten Islanders as they wait.

"As the Grand Jury on Staten Island looks into the circumstances of Eric Garner's tragic death, we should remember the President's wise counsel from last evening when he said, 'first and foremost, we are a nation built on the rule of law,'" Oddo said in a statement. "That is why we must respect the process and the decision of the Grand Jury, when it comes."

Councilman Steven Matteo (R-Mid-Island) said he was sure Staten Islanders would respond peacefully to any grand jury outcome.

"I have complete confidence that Staten Islanders will react in a constructive and peaceful way no matter the decision," he said. "I think everyone in our borough has rightly come to expect orderly demonstrations when people feel necessary to take to the streets to have their voices heard."

City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, who attended the August protest, said she she believes all people have good intentions when asked about the potential for violence in the city after a grand jury decision is reached.

"There are obviously very deep sentiments here, at play, overall," Ms. Mark-Viverito (D-Manhattan/Bronx) said. "I would want and encourage us to channel those in a very productive way to continue to demand reform."

'WE WILL NOT HAVE OUR VOICES MUTED'

More than a dozen Council members walked out of a stated meeting chanting "black lives matter" in protest of the Ferguson decision on Tuesday at City Hall. Ms. Rose, who is still recovering from a fall, joined the group after taking the elevator from the Council chambers to the rotunda downstairs.

"That was a response to Ferguson and the fact that we feel there are cases, all throughout the United States -- and Staten Island being one -- where police accountability needs to be addressed," Ms. Rose said.

She wouldn't say if the Ferguson decision could impact the Garner case.

"What I know is that whatever the outcome of the grand jury is, we are going to be prepared," Ms. Rose said. "We are developing a plan, we will not respond with violence, but we will not have our voices muted. we will raise them as loudly and we will pursue all avenues to bring justice to the Garner family."

On Tuesday, Staten Island District Attorney Daniel Donovan said he had no worries about the pending Garner decision. He said the the prosecutor and grand jury in Missouri did their jobs.

"This is our justice system," Donovan said.

Advance reporters Rachel Shapiro and Mira Wassef contributed to this report.