BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) – There is a concern that 2021 will be another year with a high number of shootings in the City of Buffalo.
As of Thursday morning, 126 people were injured in 110 shootings. 32 of the 37 homicide victims in the city are from shootings. By comparison, there were 191 people hurt in 159 shootings in the city in 2019.
That same year saw 47 homicides in the city, 37 of which were from a shooting.
Last year saw a spike in shootings. There were 353 shooting victims in 293 shootings. 47 of the 65 people homicide victims were shot.
"Of course we're concerned," Buffalo Police Captain Jeff Rinaldo said. "We've definitely seen an uptick in our shootings. It's not just a Buffalo issue. We're seeing it in major cities all throughout not only New York State but the country. We're addressing it."
Rinaldo said victims have not been cooperating with investigations because some of the shootings are related to different disputes.
"We need the public's help," Rinaldo said. "I can't stress that enough. This is activity that's occurring in residential areas and we need the public to help us. That's why we have a confidential tip line. 847-2255. We go out of our way to do the best we can to ensure the safety of people that are able to help the police and make these cases."
According to the not-for-profit group, Gun Violence Archive, 19,397 people were killed as a result of gun violence in 2020, a 25% increase from the year prior. As of Thursday there were 7,373 gun-related homicides in the United States.
Why the spike? Murray Holman, the Executive Director of the Buffalo-based Stop the Violence Coalition and member of the WNY Peacemakers, said social media is playing a factor.
"Social media didn't go away just because we had COVID," Holman said. "Now, some of these beefs and rival gangs or whatever you want to call them decide to retaliate. They didn't just pick summer. Before, I used to say it was going to spike in the summer. These beefs have been going on for a long time."
Holman said there are more ghost guns on the street. Those are the guns that are unlicensed and can be bought and built without a background check. Not only are there more of these guns on the street, Holman said more younger children are getting access to the guns.
"A lot of kids are using guns right now," Holman said. "People have not been meeting up like they usually do through schools or corners or parties. Through social media, these groups get together, then boom, something happens. We've been seeing a spike in violence with the youth from 12, 13, or 14 now. Before, it was 15, 16, and 17 year olds. Now this beef is getting a little tiresome and these groups are getting younger."
Due to COVID, it's been more difficult for volunteer groups like the Peacemakers to intervene when a young person may be at risk, such as when they flash guns in pictures on social media. Still, they are going into homes to intervene. Murray said there are times when parents are in denial about the activity of their kid's activities until photos are shown.
"We have to maintain it," Holman said. "We do a great job with the Erie County Probation Department. It all works together."
The Peacemakers have also volunteered their time by providing food to kids at Buffalo Public Schools and also intervene at places like bus stops to mitigate any potential crime.
Holman praised the efforts to the Buffalo Police Department's Neighborhood Engagement Team for their attempts to help the community. Still, he said having people within their own community can help mitigate any incidents. For example, he recently de-escalated a situation of a man in crisis in the middle of the street.
"I got over there and the young man was laying in the grass," Holman said. "I talked to him and the Buffalo Police Department was there with Crisis Services. I bridged the gap. When we're dealing with our people in our own community, you've got to have somebody who looks like them and talks like them as well. You don't have to have a degree. I have a street degree. That really helped on this young man getting himself straight and the help he needed."
Holman is hopeful that the next generation of young people will join the Peacemakers to help reduce gun violence in the street.
Holman is urging young people to give each other a pass.
"Delete the bad message," he said. "Don't spread the bad message. Come talk to our organization. Let me hook you up with some people that look like you and walk like you and talk like you…Talk to your clergy.
Talk to your mom, dad, your best friend. Talk to the one that's going to get you a sound mind and say to leave it alone."
Buffalo Peacemakers can be reached at 854-1086.
"We can mediate it and get you a pass," he said. "It's all about getting a pass."
