Spotlight on NYC shootings and finding solutions this Gun Violence Awareness Month
NEW YORK -- It's the last day of May, but a coalition of New York mayors is looking ahead to June, which is Gun Violence Awareness Month.
In the wake of several mass shootings, like the ones in Buffalo and Uvalde, the group is coordinating actions to address the epidemic of gun violence.
As CBS2's John Dias reports, New York City's mayor is helping to lead the way.
"We're also watching our children kill children and being armed with these dangerous weapons," Mayor Eric Adams said.
Strong words, but he says his actions to curtail gun violence will be even more substantial, and is calling for additional resources from Washington.
"It is time for us to have a united fight against the over-proliferation of guns," Adams said. "We can't do cross-checking. We need to zero in on gun issues."
He also spoke out about law enforcement's slow response to the Texas school shooting.
"That is not going to happen in New York. We go in with an active shooter, not only with the police go in with an active shooter, but the FDNY, the EMS, they're trained to go in with an active shooter," Adams said.
Adams says in the city, the goal is to go in and stop the immediate threat right away.
To promote Gun Violence Awareness Month, he joined in virtually with advocates and six other mayors from across the state, including the mayor of Buffalo, whose community is still reeling from the supermarket massacre a few weeks ago.
"As we continue to pray for families, we are turning grief into action," Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said.
Together they're addressing the various roots of gun violence, and launching a four-year plan to deepen their commitment to not only New York, but the nation. And more immediately, they're working to amplify best practices to prevent a spike this summer, when shootings traditionally soar.
"You wonder if they're fighting a losing battle," said Worrell Moore.
Moore is a Bronx father, and worries about his children.
"Once they got out, you're wondering what's happening until they return, not feeling comfortable until they return," he said.
After a major swell in 2020, the latest stats show both shooting incidents and victims are now down in New York City compared to last year. Shooting victims have decreased almost 5%, and incidents are down almost 9%.
"Things are kind of scary these days. You're looking around twice," said Brooklyn Heights resident Michael Moi.
"It's just terrifying that it's so easy to get your hands on guns," said Lower Manhattan resident Melissa Thompson.
On May 1, the NYPD started its summer violence reduction plan, giving every borough their own single inspector, so they can deploy resources faster. The Bronx got two.
In 40 precincts citywide, they've added more officers, and modified their shifts to start three hours earlier.
The mayor also expanded the Summer Youth Employment Program from 75,000 to 100,000 spots, so kids tempted to join gangs or turn to crime would have job opportunities instead.
Makeshift memorials caused by gun violence have become a common sight citywide. One was set up Monday in honor of 45-year-old Donovan Davy in Flatbush, Brooklyn.
His sister told CBS2 he was fatally shot was she was on the phone with him just after midnight Sunday.
"I'm saying, 'Donovan, Donovan, Donovan,' and my heart gets lower and lower," Pashona Davy said.
The Brooklyn man worked for the TSA and had no criminal history, but police said he was targeted.
The motive remains unclear. Nothing in surveillance video indicates he and the shooter made contact prior.
"Why did somebody do this to somebody so pure and somebody that has so much to give to society and wanted to build the community?" said Poshana Davy.
His family's sorrow is a familiar pain felt across the city, and emotions the mayor and his administration are trying to curtail.
