NEW YORK–The Big Apple is one of several east coast cities grappling with a serious problem: Violence is up and community and political leaders are searching for answers to the growing crisis.
NEW YORK–The Big Apple is one of several east coast cities grappling with a serious problem: Violence is up and community and political leaders are searching for answers to the growing crisis.
The Consumer Affairs and Public Safety Committees of the New York City Council held a joint oversight hearing at City Hall Oct. 20 that focused on the sale of gang paraphernalia and its role in the proliferation of gang culture and violence in the city.
Hearing participants debated banning the sale of gang affiliated clothing as a way to curb violence. City hall hearings last December revealed clothing retailers were openly selling hats and shirts broadcasting gang colors, symbols and advocating philosophies such as “Don’t Snitch.”
“We must protect people who either knowingly or unknowingly buy these products, whose lives could be put in danger if they wear them in the wrong neighborhood,” added Councilman Peter Vallone, chairman of the Public Safety Committee.
NYPD reported there have been 377 murders in the city through September 2008 versus 344 during the same period in 2007. Shootings are up in 2008, 1,420 to 1,324 in 2007. NYPD said murders and shootings have increased by over 10 percent.
In Boston, Pastor Bruce H. Wall of the Global Ministries Christian Church called for a “community lockdown” for Halloween night, specifically in Dorchester’s Codman Square neighborhood. “I would like to see 1,000 men in the streets citywide,” the pastor said in an Internet message.
“In the past, we have seen a rise in street violence on Halloween night such as the stabbing of a woman 130 times and the killing of a nine-yearold boy,” Pastor Wall told The Final Call.
Boston has recorded its 49th homicide so far in 2008 compared to 58 overall in 2007, according to Boston police. There have also been 122 non-fatal shootings versus 132 non-fatal shootings in 2007.
Pastor Wall said he has been asking that a “state of emergency” be declared by the police department. Instead of getting support, Pastor Wall said he has been demonized and “cannot get the churches to stand up with me.”
Newark, New Jersey’s largest city, has become a killing field once again, according to activists. Five shootings were recorded over the weekend of Oct. 24. A young mother of three was caught in a crossfire, a 9 year old was killed and a Central High School student was wounded. Raz Baraka, Central High’s principal, called a town hall meeting Oct. 27 at the school.
He asked parents and concerned citizens to help patrol streets when the students are coming and going from the school. “People were obviously frustrated by the reaction of the mayor and the police director, who said they had no concrete proposals for securing the students,” said Andrea Hughie, youth director for the Peoples Organization for Progress.
The principal was also frustrated by the attitude displayed by city officials and turned to community and grassroots organizations to help secure his students, Hughie said.
Special to the NNPA from the Final Call
______
Copyright 2008 NNPA. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
About Post Author
