Most major cities are affected by some form of gang violence. It’s something government officials, law officers, and community organizers have been trying to resolve for decades. New York has been a distinct target for solutions. Gang violence in New York has plagued the streets for far too long. When there’s gang violence, there’s usually gun violence, as well as illegal drugs. All three of these cases are always almost always interconnected and can affect entire communities. New York City has seen an uptick in gang violence over the past year, making it an even bigger concern. What are city officials, organizers, and residents doing to combat gang violence? What are their tactics? Is it working?
Organizers Combatting Gang Violence In New York
Who are the groups that are committed to fighting gang violence? While communities remain hopeful that police officers can help curb the aggression amongst gangs, it’s not always the case. A police presence can sometimes inflame gang violence or conflicts amongst gang members. This makes organizations and groups against violence so important. It’s almost impossible for the entire answer to lie within the hands of the police. One source of relief has come from an unlikely but effective group of individuals, former gang members. They’re part of a group called S. O. S., which stands for Save Our Streets. They refer to themselves as the ‘violence interrupters’.
Violence Interrupters and the Police
These former members and the police may appear to be unlikely partners, but their coordination has proven to be powerful. Right now, there are eighteen groups spread across the most violent parts of the city. Mayor Bill de Blasio plans to push more money to support these programs. He plans to see at least four more groups formed in the near future. The violence interrupters and the police have direct lines of communication. They work together without interfering with one another. When there’s gang violence or attempts of gang violence, they coordinate with each other to assess the situation. If there’s an act of violence, the police will sometimes send violence interrupters in to try to mediate.
Of course, these former gang members take any sort of communication with current gang members very seriously. They keep this information confidential and do not share it with the police. This helps them to form a level of trust with the gangs and the rest of the community.
The Youth
One of the biggest challenges to these groups is protecting the youth. Gang violence in New York has become increasingly dangerous for those between the ages of 10-18. This year, sixteen teens have been killed in acts of gang violence. Since May of this year, 15 percent of murder victims have been under the age of 18. In the month of July, there were six murders the northern part of Brooklyn. Four out of the six involved both suspects and victims that were 16 or younger. These are horrifying statistics for these communities. Parents, teachers, guardians, and community leaders are all determined to bring these numbers down. While the statistics are discouraging, they believe groups like S.O.S. and the violence interrupters will help.
Their Tools for Peace
Organizations fighting against gang violence in New York have specific strategies and tools to promote peace. They work to embed themselves into the neighborhoods where violence is high. This means being a part of everything going on in the community. They’re aware of collective conversations amongst gangs. They know when conflict is rising. They present themselves as mediators as much as possible. If there’s a shooting or act of violence, they immediately take action to provide support and prevent retaliation. The goal is to form a high level of trust amongst both the community and the gang members.
Looking Towards the Future
The city has $34 million dollars in the annual budget to keep programs like S.O.S. going. They see it as a powerful asset towards protecting these neighborhoods. Gang violence in New York City doesn’t have to be a permanent fixture. Their Crown Heights division has already seen huge results. When they first opened their program in 2010 there were twenty-four shootings. In 2017, there were only three. This makes everyone very hopeful about bringing peace to their communities. If you or someone you know is involved in a gang, it’s important to reach out to groups like this. It takes a close community of people to work together to combat gang violence. On the other end of the spectrum, it’s also important for you to be properly represented if you’ve been charged with a crime.
If you or someone you know has been unfairly accused of gang crime, contact a criminal defense attorney. Without justice, it’s difficult to find peace. That’s why working with legal experts is also vital to this cause.
