The City of Syracuse is figuring out the best ways to offer outreach and support to prevent more tragedies like this week’s deadly shooting of an innocent 11 year-old girl. The answers to solve violence can’t come soon enough for a grieving family and the community. Before Wednesday’s City Council Study Session began, Council President Helen Hudson spoke about the tragedy.
“It’s more than one or two people who know who shot that baby. So, if you’re going to do something and you really want to bring this community together, you need to start opening your mouth. Cause this was a child.”
The Mayor announced his choice to lead his Office to Reduce Gun Violence nearly a year ago. Lateef Johnson-Kinsey explains, he’s been taking time to develop the right approach to stop gun violence in the city. He says the work begins with assessing where gun activity is taking place.
“…Making sure hot spot areas with the proper programs that cater to those situations in those neighborhoods. That’s what we’re doing now. So, a lot of people say, ‘What is the Mayor’s Office to Reduce Gun Violence doing?’ We’re developing a program.”
Kinsey says a common mistake is rushing to spend money to address gun violence without first reviewing what data-driven strategies have worked elsewhere. He says other local grassroots organizations and family therapy provided by the Salvation Army are also offering community help. Syracuse Police Chief Joe Cecile says the department frequently introduces new initiatives to engage with the community and builds relationships. He’s concerned about reaching impressionable youth before they get introduced to bad behaviors.
“I’m talking about violence at an early level. We’ve seen eleven, 12 and 13 year-olds with guns in their hands multiple times. And when we discuss this, as police officers and investigators, we know, in this room… we might say it. But, everyone in this room knows that we’re going to this child, if he doesn’t get help from other services other than the police.”
Cecile says the societal problems Syracuse faces is no different than other cities; however, he says the city bears a disproportionate burden of problems like gun violence and poverty.
