On Monday, Mayor Eric Adams celebrated the Big Apple’s more than 25% decrease in shootings from the previous year while outlining his administration’s $485 million plan to reduce gun violence, which has stubbornly stayed high in the post-pandemic era.
According to a city news release, Adams’ task group, which has been meeting for a year, came up with the “Blueprint for Community Safety,” which is the result of its investigation into the “root causes of gun violence” and its list of safety recommendations.
At a press conference on Monday, Adams stated, “Our time has come, and now we must act.” She was joined by the governor, other elected leaders, and community activists.
We will do everything we can to fill the tiny window of opportunity to bring the amount of aggression, intervention, and prevention we need. The five boroughs had experienced 592 gunshots as of Sunday, which is roughly 34% more than the 441 shootings that occurred in the same period of time in 2019 but still much less than the 805 shootings that occurred in the first seven months of last year.
Adams responded, “Hold us accountable.” When asked what precise measures the public could use to assess the blueprint’s performance, We are all involved in this. It’s not just me; it’s not the people here; it’s the media men and women who are spotlighting some of the admirable things we’re doing and elevating individuals who are taking part.
The mayor said that since he took office in 2022, police have removed 11,000 weapons from public spaces, and that in addition to shootings declining by around 26% over the first seven months, homicides have also decreased.
However, despite the congrats and pats on the back, New York City’s ongoing issue with gun violence continues.
The task force’s proposals have received hundreds of millions of dollars in funding from the city, but only around $40 million of that will be new investment.
According to City Hall, the funds will be used for a variety of purposes, including data collection to assess the efficacy of the programs, youth job training and employment, and maintaining some schools available for community use.
According to the press release, the plan also allots $118 million for early intervention programs, $57 million to improve housing, $68 million to assist New Yorkers in accessing public benefits, $9 million to invest in public spaces like parks, playgrounds, and community centers, $118 million for skill training for young city residents, $106 million to strengthen mental health programs, and $2.6 million to fund community policing.
According to the city, 30 out of the 77 precincts account for almost 92% of all gun crime.
The administration will increase its funding in six of them, including the Bronx and Brooklyn areas.
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