BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) – Police in Buffalo hope that a $230,000 grant from the Department of Justice will allow them to solve shooting crimes in the city.
The money, which is part of a nationwide initiative by the federal government, will be used to create a “Shoot Review” initiative. This initiative means law enforcement at various levels will meet in person each week to review several months of shootings to identify trends in the types of shootings, victims, and the suspects. It will also provide reports on all cases.
Officials hope that this initiative will follow successes in other places like Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where they said the initiative reduced crime by 17 percent.
Shootings in Buffalo have increased in recent weeks in Buffalo. There were seven homicides last month in the city that involved a gun. Three people have been killed using guns this month. Several of the shootings may have been related to gang violence in the city.
US Attorney JP Kennedy highlighted the shooting death of a suspected Central Park gang member, Shareef Jackson, who was killed on July 1 near Canisius High School. Kennedy believes Jackson was killed in over a dispute with the Fruit Belt Gang. Antwaine Parker and Michael Woods, two men believed to be from the Fruit Belt Gang were shot three days later, and survived. The two men then posted photos on their social media accounts, flashing guns.
Police later arrested the two men from the Fruit Belt Gang. They were indicted on gun charges on Wednesday.
“I think this case highlights exactly how the shooting review team will seek to break the cycle of violence among the most violent players in our community,” Kennedy said. “It also demonstrates how professional, focused, and proactive law enforcement can effectively stem the tide of violence that is sweeping across our country.”
There continues to be a riff in police and community relations as nationwide fallout continues over the death of George Floyd. Gramaglia said officers will knock on doors to speak with group members and families to explain what violence does to a community.
“There is a significant population that appreciates the police and shows their support for the police,” Gramaglia said. “Our officers are out there responding to all of the community.”
Kennedy added that the call for fewer police in communities is “misguided”.
“We’re reviewing social media and reviewing reports and talking to individuals on scene to know the individuals involved and who is escalating,” Kennedy said. “What might be their next move? What might be the next step in this progression if it’s competing gangs? That sort of real-time, intelligence-driven, policing is the most effective way to address the issues.”