Williams Reacts to Recent City-Wide Gun Violence

Councilman Jumaane Williams, D-Ditmas Park, reacted to a recent series of gun violence incidents that recently took place, saying the shootings give the New York Police Deparment a reason to continue the stop, question and frisk policy.

"The consequences for these shooters' actions could not be more serious... not only are they stealing lives, their actions are providing excuses for the NYPD's innefective but emotionally satisfying stop, question and frisk policy," Williams said. 

Williams, who is co-chair of the Task Force to Combat Gun Violence, noted the recent string of shootings include a double shooting Tuesday night on St. John's Place in Crown Heights, where one person, 25-year-old Martin Thomas, was killed and a second injured.

In Harlem, five people were shot Wednesday night after a dispute during a game for the Entertainers Baskteball Classic. In Eastchester, 14-year-old Kemar Brooks died from a gunshot wound to the head on Thursday evening in Haffen Park. In Williamsburg, one man was shot three times in the leg Friday night on Bedford Avenue.

"Each time I see the news of another shooting, I hope and pray that the madness will stop," Williams said. "Still the shooting spree this summer keeps giving us more victims fallen to the ground. There seems to be no corner of this city right now that is truly safe from guns and the young men who are foolishly and brazenly brandishing them, as if this is a video game." 

He noted that the community needs to demand greater accountability from eachother, and the government needs to put in resources to really address this problem. "While I am for additional police on the ground and better policing strategies, the NYPD cannot do it alone," Williams said.