Adams And Cumbo Call For State Support For Anti-Gun Violence Programs And Community Programs

In the wake of the evening rush-hour shooting death of 16-year-old Armani Hankins this past Monday, October 26, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and Councilmember Laurie Cumbo have issued a call for collaboration between the state, city, and community groups.

Specifically, they want Governor Andrew Cuomo to re-fund SNUG, an anti-gun-violence initiative, with $10 million; to create a Mayor’s Office to Combat Gun Violence; to build partnerships between local businesses and youth employment programs in order for youth to have something to do after school; and for an emphasis on education and extracurricular learning opportunities, particularly for low-income and African-American youth.

“People often think that [shootings and gun-violence] are an inner-city problem, but this is a wake-up call for businesses: wen a cup of blood keeps filling, it spills over into areas like Downtown Brooklyn,” said Adams at an early morning press conference on Tuesday, just feet away from the fading blood stain on the sidewalk. “We have a gang problem in this city and organizations on the ground like ManUp and Save Our Streets are being outpowered and outnumbered by those on the streets using violence.”

Adams called on Cuomo to re-fund SNUG (guns spelled backward) with an “emergency $10 million” to support such programs. “Police can only go so far and only groups in partnership with police can do this.”

Cumbo agreed, adding that Fort Greene-Clinton Hill’s 88th Precinct is strapped for [hu]manpower. “The 88th Precinct only received 11 new officers this year and needs more capital and infrastructure,” she said.

During a public safety town hall this past August, NYPD Chief of Housing Carlos Gomez said this imbalance of resources being allocated was intentional as officers are “assigned to precincts with the top number of shootings” and the 88th Precinct has lower rates compared to other precincts in Brooklyn.

However, with the recent spike in gun violence in our neighborhood — 23 shootings this year, compared to 13 last year — that statistical data might warrant new consideration in coming months.

“We cannot view the loss of life as business as usual or ignore the reality because it is too uncomfortable to face or because we are too busy or focused on celebrating the Brooklyn Renaissance,” echoed Cumbo. “Our city has a serious public health crisis as it pertains to gun violence and we cannot allow this issue to go unrecognized. How many lives will have to be taken before we pass real comprehensive gun reform in order to get these illegal guns off of the streets and out of the hands of our children?”

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