"I think that we have to look at violence in neighborhoods, especially when it comes to Black people and ask the question, ‘what are the underlying factors?’" said Patrick Johnson of Utica.

What You Need To Know

  • Patrick Johnson is a member of Oneida County’s Save Our Streets program

  • The program is designed to help stop gun violence by building relationships

  • Johnson says people need to talk issues out instead of resorting to violence

One of the many things Patrick Johnson is involved with is Oneida County’s Save Our Streets Program. Its goal is to stop gun violence in Utica by building relationships.

Johnson’s passion for positive resolution started long ago.

"Most of the gun violence we were seeing was with young Black males," he said.

How do you build relationships and address community problems? By talking to community members.

Johnson says there’s a lot of suppressed anger among African American men and that racism plays a role, even when it’s unintended.

"Many Black people are traumatized by not only the intentional racism that comes at them regularly, but the subtle racism as well. When you have to deal with that regularly it’s almost like you need therapy," he said.

Johnson says the key is to continue having sensitive, honest discussions about these issues, and providing hope and opportunities to African American communities.