Gun violence is an issue that's plagued not only the nation in recent years, but also New York neighborhoods, forcing residents to come together to try and find solutions.
Gun violence unfortunately continues in the city of Syracuse, with 13 homicides so far this year. But how can the community work to solve the problem? Part of the answer could be in the answers to a gun violence survey.
The organization 100 Black Men of Syracuse discussed the results.
"This is something very sad that I'm going through at this time right now," said Jose Torres, father of Brexi Lee Torres-Ortiz, whose words were translated into English from Spanish through a third party.
It has been more than six months since Brexi Lee Torres-Ortiz was killed in a drive-by shooting.
What You Need To Know
- A survey conducted by 100 Black Men of Syracuse gauges potential community responses to gun violence
- Brexi Lee Torres-Ortiz's father still wears a pendant of his daughter's face everyday after her murder earlier this year
- Groups like OG's Against Gun Violence work to help curb violence
"This is a situation that is very, very sad that we are going through, that this should not happen. People we are losing, our children, we are losing our future generation," said Torres.
He still wears his daughter's photo on a pendant.
"I have her next to me because I feel that she's still with me. That's why I don't take it off," said Torres.
Brexi Lee Torres-Ortiz is one of 13 people killed in Syracuse so far this year.
Clifford Ryan is the founder of OG's Against Violence. He lost his own son to gun violence.
"It can have a strong impact on you mentally and trauma-wise, it’s definitely a challenge for this city and the families who are facing the loss of their loved ones," said Ryan.
His organization works to stop violence.
"When you approach it from a direct perspective, you get results. I, myself, have stopped shootings from a direct approach," said Ryan.
In an effort to curb gun violence, 100 Black Men of Syracuse put out an informal survey, asking the community what should be done.
"Men have special role to play in resolving this problem, and that is if you are a father, for one, to really be a father to your children and to give them guidance away from maybe being in the streets and possibly being exposed to gangs and all of that," said J.B. McCampbell, with 100 Black Men of Syracuse.
Almost 200 people took the survey.
The top three results for what action to take are: require students to take conflict-resolution classes, have more police presence in high-risk areas of the city and hire outreach workers to stay in contact with gang members and step in before issues turn into violence.
"Conflict resolution works, I’m trained in it myself, and I’ve applied it in doing the work out here in the streets," said Ryan.
Survey results also show people are willing to give time and money to organizations working on this problem.
"That’s a very, very vital important part of helping reduce the gun violence – putting the resources in the right places where the work can be done to help combat the gun violence," said Ryan.
The group 100 Black Men of Syracuse say they plan to meet with community members and discuss how to work on the issues together later this year.
