From NY1 News:
A day after a multiple shooting in Queens, local lawmakers called on the NYPD Sunday to beef up its presence in the area.
City Councilman Hiram Monserrate and Assemblyman Jose Peralta say they want to see an increase in police resources to combat recent crime and gang activity.
"Roosevelt Avenue has historically been an area plagued by crime, prostitution, narcotic sales, fraudulent documents, and most recently, heightened gang activity," said Monserrate.
"We have to say stop the violence," said Peralta. "We have to say enough is enough."
Police believe Saturday's shooting on Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights was gang related. Five people were shot. All were taken to Elmhurst Hospital, where they are said to be in stable condition.
Lawmakers say calls over the last year for increased police presence in the area have fallen on deaf ears. So, Sunday they repeated their request.
"A permanent solution is necessary and that begins with more police personnel permanently assigned so they can become familiar with the neighborhood they are patrolling, familiar with the community, and have open communication," said Anthony Miranda of the National Latino Officers Association. "If they don't have open communication, they won't be able to detect the crime that goes on here."
Many say they've also been proposing for a long time that the NYPD put up surveillance cameras along Roosevelt in hopes it deters crime.
"We demand, we are no longer requesting, we are demanding that those cameras be installed in here immediately," said Monserrate. "Those cameras not only help deter crime, they help identify perps and aid in the prosecution of crimes."
Community members say they are just outraged something has not been done sooner.
"Nobody should have to walk down the streets in fear of this type of violence," said Democratic district leader Daniel Dromm. "We need to stand up and we need to say no to the gangs."
As of Sunday evening, no arrested had been made in connection with Saturday's shootings.
Labels: CommunityOrganizing, LawEnforcement
