The Youth, the Streets, and the Fight Against Gun Violence

Gun Violence in New York: A Call to Action

Gun violence in New York is on the rise, and the root cause is clear: our youth have too little to do, and many are struggling with mental health issues or repressed emotions. Once upon a time, the bosses of crime organizations were glorified for their wealth and power. Today, the reality has shifted. There’s less money to be made hustling, leaving many young people to resort to robbing and violent behavior at alarming rates. We live in an age where the shooter has become a figure of twisted admiration—someone who embarks on a “crash-out mission,” seeking notoriety through violence.

Despite the city’s best efforts to address the issue by hiring more police officers and installing cameras on every street corner, the violence continues to escalate. While the NYPD is actively pursuing these criminals, there are limited resources available once these young offenders reach a certain age. Moreover, the system offers few resources to help them turn their lives around.

The truth is, the NYPD knows more about the gangs and the individuals involved in these crimes than they let on. If you spend any time on YouTube, you’ll find footage of officers taunting young people with their gang affiliations, even flashing gang signs in a display of “connection.” While some may argue that fostering relationships with youth is a step in the right direction, I believe the job of the police should be to prevent crime—not glorify it.

Many of the kids living on these streets lead double lives. They come from hard-working, loving families who are doing everything they can to keep them on the right path. But it’s difficult to stay on course when the streets offer so many tempting distractions. For many young people, joining a gang or selling drugs isn’t about crime—it’s about finding a sense of belonging. These kids are scared, not only for their lives but also for their futures, and are simply trying to make money or survive in a world that doesn’t seem to care.

So, I ask you: What options do we really provide for our youth to have fun, enjoy life, and escape their personal struggles? Being a teenager is tough. It’s a time of self-discovery, heightened expectations, and immense pressure. It’s no different today than it was for the generations before them. And as adults, we should remember that their struggles are ours as well.

It is time for teachers, police officers, politicians, and community members to come together and create a comprehensive plan to address the rise of gun violence. This can’t be limited to protests alone; we must restore a sense of community and empower those who live here. Communities need to have a say in how they’re shaped. Allow tenants to vote or provide input on what they want in their neighborhoods. We must remind these young people that it’s not the gangs who control the block—it’s the community. But for this to work, we need to rebuild trust in families and communities alike. It’s becoming increasingly difficult, and tensions are rising, but we cannot afford to let our neighborhoods fall apart.

Every community center should be dedicated to providing a safe space for both young people and the elderly. Local businesses must step up. If a young person is running for safety, businesses should do their part to shelter that child until law enforcement arrives. We cannot afford to let another tragedy like the death of Junior happen again. If our neighborhood businesses do not support our community values, then we must demand that they either comply or move elsewhere. It’s simple. Help protect our kids.

Food for Thought:

Additionally, we must consider probation reform. It’s time to ask the state to implement a program that mandates mandatory paid community service for those on probation. This would provide young people with opportunities to give back, gain valuable skills, and feel connected to their community.

We also need to rethink the role of neighborhood coordination officers. Police departments should hire more officers dedicated to neighborhood engagement—officers who are familiar with the community and not just temporary faces that rotate every month. A police force that is rooted in the neighborhood can help bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community.

The reality is that the NYPD has valuable intelligence on the gangs and individuals fueling this violence, but this knowledge needs to be used more effectively. Instead of taunting youth or adding to their fears, we must work with the community to offer solutions.

Finally, we need to shift the narrative for our youth. Too often, they are seen as products of their environment rather than potential assets to society. We must provide them with the resources, guidance, and support they need to become productive, law-abiding citizens. We can no longer afford to overlook the link between the lack of resources and the rise in gun violence.

In the end, we must remember that a lack of resources equals more gun violence. It’s time we address these issues head-on with a unified front—one that includes every member of our community, working together for a safer, better future.