The Bronx is experiencing a rise in youth gun violence, despite an overall decline in crime rates across New York City. According to ABC7NY, during the kickoff of Gun Violence Awareness Month, Bronx leaders have emphasized the disturbing pattern of gun violence among teens and young adults. "Our community is still reeling from the killing of 16-year-old Evette Jeffrey," Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark said, highlighting an incident where a young bystander lost her life after being caught in a crossfire resulting from a schoolyard altercation.
This year has seen the NYPD counting 38 shooting victims under the age of 21, alongside 64 minors arrested on gun-related charges. In an effort to directly intervene and stem the flow of violence, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson told ABC7NY, "We cannot and we will not ignore these numbers." NYPD Assistant Chief Benjamin Gurley expressed these concerns, stating, "I do not wanna arrest anyone, let alone another teenager with a gun ... because at 13, 12, 14, that's a hard start to life."
Additionally, data shows an uptick in how frequently youth are pulling triggers. "We are losing a generation of children to death and to prison," Darcel Clark told News 12 Hudson Valley. This issue is further complicated by the fact that many of these firearms are not only being carried but are also actively used by children, Clark describes youths with guns "walking around with masks on every day, all day."
In response, a considerable force mobilization has been implemented by NYPD; an additional 238 officers are being assigned specifically to combat gun violence in the Bronx as part of a summer safety plan, according to News 12 Hudson Valley. "We have to stop the supply of guns. These untraceable weapons are flooding our streets, they are putting residents and children in harm's way. We need laws that reflect the urgency of this crisis," Gibson stated, advocating for legislative action to match the gravity of this dire situation. Concurrently, Gibson, and various community leaders, have launched the "Violence Stops With Us" campaign, reinforcing a network of youth services, programming, and community engagement throughout Gun Violence Awareness Month.
