Today, Council Member Jumaane D. Williams Deputy Leader and co-chair of the Council's Task Force to Combat Gun Violence, released the following statement after recent reports show that an increase in shootings and murders have occurred across the five boroughs.
"It is troubling to learn that increases in shootings have occurred across the city. We must remember that these are not just statistics, but are New Yorkers being killed by senseless acts of violence. My prayers for peace and comfort are with the friends and family of the victims, including Alexander Manning, a former marine who was shot and killed last week by a group of teenagers when he refused to let them rob him in front of his East Flatbush apartment.
"We must continue to push back against such violence and not accept it as the norm. I was pleased to attend a Committee on Public Safety hearing today, Chaired by Council Member Vanessa Gibson, where we had productive conversations with the Administration, representatives of NYPD and advocates on community policing. During the hearing, NYPD Deputy Commissioner Susan Herman and the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice Director Elizabeth Glazier reported that the department has developed creative strategies to engage community members to deal with crime and violence holistically.
"Included in that discussion was the Council's Task Force to Combat Gun Violence, which launched in 2012 and later created the Crisis Management System to address shootings as a public health issue by using an multi-faceted approach through funding grassroots groups, providing wrap around services and coordinating inter-agency initiatives. The program employs 'violence interrupters,' typically former gang members who have turned their lives around, to quell street disputes -- intervening before escalation to gun violence -- and links potential shooters to case management and supportive services.
"We all know that we cannot combat shootings with police tactics alone, and owe it to the men and women in blue and the communities they serve to initiate creative strategies like these and others discussed during today's hearing to improve public safety and police-community relations. I look forward to working further with Chair Gibson, the Administration and NYPD to address these issues and limit shootings across the five boroughs."
