Community advocates in Brownsville, Brooklyn, are considering how to reduce violence during the recent spike

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

The most recent incident occurred this weekend during a Father’s Day barbecue near Livonia Park. On Saturday around 11:30 p.m., a 61-year-old was shot in the leg and a 71-year-old woman was shot in the abdomen and hip. Both have been hospitalized in stable condition.

What the data shows

In the 73rd District, the number of shooting victims between January and June 16 dropped 73% compared to 30 years ago in 1993. However, in 2024 the number of shooting victims will be more than 100% higher than this time last year. The NYPD says overall crime in the 73rd Precinct is down nearly 2% compared to last year.

Community advocates say they are doing a good job of reaching children at a young age, but… better access to weapons is a challenge.

“It was really alarming. The number of young people under the age of 21 owning and using guns,” said Mayor Eric Adams. “Our focus is to continue to look at what is happening there. Is this gang driven? That’s what we think it is. And to really respond appropriately.”

“This 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 first responders. We’re trying to do the best we can,” Mathieu said.

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

Scriven’s nonprofit 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 of people in your community are doing these shootings, and what we need is for the community to come out more,” Scriven said.

“If we had lights in this park, there would be a lot of crime reduction. You’re not going to stop it, but you’re going to slow it down a lot,” said Robert Scott, Sr., of the NYCHA Van Dyke Houses tenant association. .

“It’s a trauma for the children who were playing here. It’s a trauma for the adults here who were enjoying themselves here. So those are things we’re dealing with right now,” Scriven said.