The horrific shooting on the route of the West Indian Day Parade earlier this month has prompted Albany to take up two new gun violence-related laws when it reconvenes next year.
The proposals were submitted last week by state senator Zellnor Myrie, who stated, “It’s time for us to employ some different strategies.”
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Myrie encompasses a large portion of Central Brooklyn, including Crown Heights, which still struggles with gun crime despite a decline in shootings overall. In addition, he plans to run for mayor the following year, when public safety will probably once more be a top concern.
Myrie acknowledged that legislation was needed to address the underlying causes of gun violence in his area, but the parade incident, which left 25-year-old Denzel Chan dead, and four other people injured, provided a chance to act.
According to one of the legislations, a “mass shooting” would thereafter refer to situations in which four or more people are shot and wounded, not simply those who are killed.
According to Myrie, “It’s a small but really significant change,” which would enable survivors to get financial help and emergency support. “The impact is often just as devastating… if you have been paralyzed by being shot, that has a lifelong consequence for you and it’s going to take a different level of accommodation and service.”
The event during the parade and other similar instances would be classified as “mass shootings” if the measure is approved.
According to Myrie, the other proposed legislation would improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the state’s Office of Gun Violence Prevention by moving it to the Division of Criminal Justice Services. According to the bill language, the office may more effectively increase hospital capacity, offer incentives for violence prevention, and utilize data to target places most in need of resources.
Myrie stated, “The bill also calls for an advisory council that includes other stakeholders in this process. So that looks like a veteran, a medical professional, a young person, a community representative, legislators, research experts.” He added, “There would be a cross-agency conversation because everything that we do as a government can help with gun violence prevention.”
near a news conference on September 18, 2024, Myrie and his group will advocate for the measures with other local officials and inhabitants near the location of the Labor Day shooting. The culprit is still not in the custody of the police.
“This is a frustrating reality for our community,” Myrie noted. “If you are a victim or a survivor, the message to you is that what happened to you doesn’t matter. And if you are someone that uses a gun to resolve conflict, the message to you is that this is a route for conflict resolution, because it is likely that you won’t be caught.”
The 77th precinct, which covers parts of Prospect Heights and the northern section of Crown Heights, has seen a more than 30% spike in shooting events so far this year compared to last, according to NYPD CompStat statistics.
