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New York police attribute rise in gun violence to gangs and hot weather New York police attribute rise in gun violence to gangs and hot weather
(about 1 hour later)
New York City police department officials are attributing a continued rise in gun violence to gang activity and hot weather, after more than a decade of consistently falling shooting rates in the city.New York City police department officials are attributing a continued rise in gun violence to gang activity and hot weather, after more than a decade of consistently falling shooting rates in the city.
Though there has been a drop in overall crime in New York City, NYPD officials said on Monday that they are working to address the increase in gun activity before the hot summer months, which are correlated with an increase in crime. Gun violence has been rising in the city for the past two years.Though there has been a drop in overall crime in New York City, NYPD officials said on Monday that they are working to address the increase in gun activity before the hot summer months, which are correlated with an increase in crime. Gun violence has been rising in the city for the past two years.
“We do not take this lightly,” said James P O’Neill, the NYPD’s highest-ranking chief. “This is our focus. This is what keeps (us) up at night.” “We do not take this lightly,” said James P O’Neill, the NYPD’s highest-ranking chief. “This is our focus. This is what keeps [us] up at night.”
Officials said that shootings were up by more than 9% compared to this time last year. Homicides are up by nearly 20%, and more involve guns than usual.Officials said that shootings were up by more than 9% compared to this time last year. Homicides are up by nearly 20%, and more involve guns than usual.
NYPD chief of operations Dermot Shea said about half of the shootings for the month of May, as well as the year in general, were tied to gang violence. The NYPD’s chief of operations, Dermot Shea, said about half of the shootings for the month of May, as well as the year in general, were tied to gang violence.
Shooting rates in May jumped 22% from last year, with 104 reported last month. The monthly homicide rate increased to 43%, with 30 people killed in May.Shooting rates in May jumped 22% from last year, with 104 reported last month. The monthly homicide rate increased to 43%, with 30 people killed in May.
The police department said that it is moving 330 officers currently fulfilling administrative duties to the streets in high crime areas as part of an initiative to combat gun violence. The police department said that it is moving 330 officers currently fulfilling administrative duties to the streets in high-crime areas as part of an initiative to combat gun violence.
Last summer, Mayor Bill de Blasio launched a Gun Violence Crisis Management system to fund anti-violence groups and direct resources to the neighborhoods where shooting violence is concentrated.Last summer, Mayor Bill de Blasio launched a Gun Violence Crisis Management system to fund anti-violence groups and direct resources to the neighborhoods where shooting violence is concentrated.
“This is not just the NYPD, this is the whole city that has to be involved in this,” O’Neill said. “People throughout the city know who the bad guys are and we need help with that.”“This is not just the NYPD, this is the whole city that has to be involved in this,” O’Neill said. “People throughout the city know who the bad guys are and we need help with that.”
Former gang members and community activists marched against gun violence on Saturday in East Flatbush, Brooklyn. The march was timed to the beginning of Gun Violence Awareness month.Former gang members and community activists marched against gun violence on Saturday in East Flatbush, Brooklyn. The march was timed to the beginning of Gun Violence Awareness month.