Community advocates in Brownsville and Brooklyn consider ways to reduce violence amid recent surge

NEW YORK – A recent outbreak of violence in Brownsville, Brooklyn for the attention of community advocates and law enforcement.

The most recent incident took place this weekend at a Father’s Day barbecue near Livonia Park. Around 11:30 p.m. Saturday, a 61-year-old man was shot in the leg and a 71-year-old woman was shot in the stomach and hip. Both are hospitalized in stable condition.

What the data shows

In the 73rd arrondissement, from January to June 16, the number of gunshot victims decreased by 73% compared to thirty years ago, in 1993. However, in 2024, the number of gunshot victims increased by more than 100% compared to the same period last year. The NYPD says overall crime in the 73rd Precinct is down nearly 2% compared to last year.

Community advocates say they do a good job reaching children at a young age, but increased access to firearms is a challenge.

“It was really alarming. The number of young people under the age of 21 owning guns and using guns,” Mayor Eric Adams said. “Our goal is to continue to observe what’s going on out there. Is this gang being led? That’s what we think. And to actually respond accordingly.”

“It could be your grandmother”

A community advocate said children should run to a park, not from a park. Al Mathieu of Brownsville Think Tank Matters wants to see more violence interrupters on the streets.

“We only have about – I think it’s four violence interrupters and three outreach workers. We’re trying to do the best we can,” Mathieu said.

“We always talk about it. It could be your grandmother. It could be your grandfather,” said Darien “Mello” Scriven of Brownsville End Violence South. The organization is part of the NYPD’s pilot program called the Brownsville Safety Alliance, which deploys violence interrupters and crisis management personnel to hot spots instead of the uniformed NYPD.

Scriven’s nonprofit think tank, Brownsville Think Tank Matters, is also meeting this week to decide next steps.

“A lot of people have good jobs. They’re working and trying to live their lives, but a small number in your community are doing these shootings, and what we need is for the community to come forward more,” Scriven said .

“If we had lighting in this park, a lot of crime would go down. You’re not going to stop it, but you’d slow it down a lot,” said Robert Scott, Sr., of the NYCHA Van Tenants Association Dyke Houses. .

“It’s trauma for the kids who were playing here. It’s trauma for the adults here who were having fun. So these are things that we now have to deal with,” Scriven said.