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Syracuse gun violence prevention retreat identifies challenges, seeks solutions

Dr. Chico Tillmon speaks at a news conference Wednesday, June 15, 2022.
Scott Willis
/
WAER News
Dr. Chico Tillmon speaks at a news conference Wednesday, June 15, 2022.

Syracuse’s leaders in gun violence prevention gathered Wednesday for a retreat to identify the challenges and find solutions to the growing problem. Lateef Johnson-Kinsey became the director of the Mayor’s Office to Reduce Gun Violence just two months ago.

"We are finally starting to see the wheels rolling. I think it's important to know this is the first time that we've had a retreat like this, um, where we're seeing all this organization, uh, come together and they're doing the hard work, and have been doing the hard work. I think that needs to be realized."

The city has hired Chicago-based community violence prevention expert Dr. Chico Tillmon of Chicago to conduct an assessment. He's Senior Research Fellow at the University of Chicago Crime and Education Lab, and traveled to Syracuse for the retreat.

"First we want to look at some quantitative data so we can be strategic about whether violence is actually occurring and how frequent it is occurring. We could look at antidotes or strategies that are scientific base that can mitigate those. After doing that, we want to do some asset mapping, so we aren't rep replicating what's already in existence. Then further down the line, we want to do qualitative research to better understand why the problem exists and what's the historical background surrounding it."

The last part of the assessment would be a recommendation based upon the information gathered.

Tillmon says Syracuse faces similar challenges like other cities, such as disinvestment and concentrated poverty. He praised Syracuse’s network of community organizations working toward reducing gun violence, and wants to use those resources more collaboratively and effectively. Tillmon says to address the immediate crisis, they need to focus on those in the 22 to 29 age range, because they’re more likely to use a firearm.

Bishop H. Bernard Alex is president of the Syracuse Chapter of the National Action Network. He says simply having conversations can be a step in the right direction.

"Conversation with your children, with young adults, with those that perhaps you have not spoken to, to utilize the interconnectedness of families, those credible messengers within families, to have conversations about the behavior and actions of those that are within that family unit, however that be defined."

Bishop Alex says they have the tools to combat gun violence. Now they’re learning how to use them effectively to get results.

Lateef Johnson-Kinsey is Director of the Mayor's Office to Reduce Gun Violence.
Scott Willis
/
WAER News
Lateef Johnson-Kinsey is Director of the Mayor's Office to Reduce Gun Violence.

Scott Willis covers politics, local government, transportation, and arts and culture for WAER. He came to Syracuse from Detroit in 2001, where he began his career in radio as an intern and freelance reporter. Scott is honored and privileged to bring the day’s news and in-depth feature reporting to WAER’s dedicated and generous listeners. You can find him on twitter @swillisWAER and email him at srwillis@syr.edu.