Mayor Adams Visits Haffen Park for Prayer Vigil

Haffen Park in the Bronx was the scene of shooting this past weekend where five people were shot, one person was killed, three people are in serious condition, and a young girl is in critical condition at Jacobi Hospital. There was a vigil by community members on Tuesday, and one by Elected officials on Wednesday, but Thursday Mayor Eric Adams came to Haffen Park to announce the placement of more police officers from the recent graduating class to the Bronx. 

Deputy Inspector Muhammad J. Ashraf of the 47th precinct where Haffen Park is located told me that he received forty new police officers from that graduating class, but he said the new officers are limited in what they can do until they get enough patrol experience, they must be with a supervisor. 

There have been several shootings around the Bronx this past week making it one of the bloodiest weeks for Bronx precincts. Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson said "I'm tired of the Vigils, thirty percent of citywide shootings are in the Bronx, and we don't have thirty percent of the city's population. Mayor Adams called for more programs for the youth to keep them out of gangs. Bronx Borough Commander Chief Gurley said people are getting shot all day, thirteen-year-old girls and twelve-year-old boys are carrying guns now and using them on other children.  

This reporter asked Mayor Adams about the 3,123 crimes in the 47th precinct in 2024, whereas the entire borough of Staten Island had the same amount of crime as the 47th Precinct, but has four precincts. While quoting from the CompStat report for the week ending 8/24/2025 that showed a 12.03% increase in overall crime compared to the previous year I asked the mayor when would the Bronx be getting more police precincts since three other Bronx precincts the 40th, 43rd, and 44th also had more than 3,000 reported crimes in 2024. Mayor Adams said that the logistics of such a project has to be investigated fully, but that the city was looking into adding a precinct to the Bronx. After the press conference there was a prayer vigil by the mayor and some family members. 

Mayor Eric Adams arrives at Haffen Park in the Baychester section of the Bronx surrounded by staff and media.

Mayor Adams speaks on the shootings that took place a few days ago in the park and other areas of the Bronx and city. Next to Mayor Adams is a mother who lost her child to a random shooting in 2022. 

Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson spoke from her heart about what shootings like this does to families and communities. She added that the Bronx has more than its share of these shootings.

Bronx Borough Commander Chief Gurley talks about how thirteen year old girls and twelve year old boys are now carrying guns and using them on other children.