Breaking the cycle of escalating gun violence is one piece of the anti-violence strategy announced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo earlier this month after issuing a state of emergency across New York.

While leaders are working on long-term intervention and prevention solutions, many say that successfully having an impact on stopping the violence begins in the community.

It's a call to action that's been answered many times by Pastor Daren C. Jaime of Syracuse. When shots ring out in the Salt City, it's not unusual for him to be on the scene alongside other first responders.

“I’m a pastor and then I'm also the chaplain for the Syracuse Police Department," said Jaime, a staple in the community and leader for those who attend People’s A.M.E. Zion Church on Salina Street. “So, I find myself out on a lot of the trauma and homicide calls we're just dispatched, and I go out to the hospital.”

What You Need To Know

  • New York is under a state of emergency, due to trending gun violence

  • Local leaders are calling for organized help in solving this issue

  • Select few in the community are helping to bridge the gap between first responders and the community when shots ring out in Syracuse and beyond

The pastor plays a vital role for the SPD and the community as a first responder and one of the few capable of bridging the gap between them when violence strikes. When he’s not writing sermons or out giving spiritual guidance in the neighborhood, he’s hoping not to hear the phone ring in any official capacity.

But when it does, he prays.

“Because whatever happens on the other side is not going to be good. Many times, you really have the understanding that you're going into a situation that is potentially life threatening and dangerous,” said the pastor. “And so, there's prayers for the victim, there's prayers for the offender, his prayers for peace. Sometimes, things aren't as bad. And sometimes, it's worse than expected."

Time at the pulpit is his chance to change perceptions and behaviors, he said. 

But the congregation that can seat 350 people hasn’t met in-person since March of 2020 and over that time, his parishioners and more have felt loss and pain. Jaime believes in the power pastors and chaplains like himself have to step up to stop the violence.

“Being in this place and outside, we just try to be a credible messenger and a liaison to allow people to be able to get that hope and that help and that healing. They can make their life better,” he said. “Things can be better than you expected when you arrive at a hospital or on the scene. And then there are times when you go out and they're far worse than you ever expected."

Syracuse and Central New York are a window into issues plaguing many communities across the Empire State and the nation. Jaime acknowledges major problems he has seen first-hand, but remains hopeful, urging everyone to wake up each morning and be part of the solution.

“I can say looking around that, you know, things have gotten better,” Jaime noted. “And we're just grateful that this season of unprecedented violence and gun violence that we're seeing right now will dissipate, and we'll get back to being the better community that we know ourselves to be."