Bedford-Stuyvesant Councilmember Robert Cornegy and senior NYPD leaders are holding a family day and Town Hall to combat an increase in gun violence on Tuesday, July 21, at Raymond Bush Playground.
The 'Stop the Violence' event is being held at the Bed-Stuy playground where 1-year-old Davall Gardner Jr. was killed on July 12, at a family cookout. The Town Hall comes in the wake of recent shootings in Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights that have left three dead, including Davall, and at least nine injured.
It is being held as part of a broader strategy of community engagement and getting resources to the Central Brooklyn communities that have suffered from the recent uptick in gun violence. Activists and community leaders have held marches and vigils to address the violence and strengthen the community response, and Mayor Bill de Blasio recently announced the End Gun Violence anti-crime plan.
The plan will concentrate NYPD resources and increase foot patrols in areas with high levels of gun violence, organize gun buy-back events, and increase coordination with Cure Violence, amongst other things.
De Blasio said of the plan: "For seven years, we have made this city safer through the NYPD's close partnership with communities and by recognizing the leadership of community leaders, organizations, and clergy. We will continue to build peace in our communities and strengthen the relationship between communities and the NYPD."
The program for the family day and Town Hall is as follows:
- 2 p.m. — 6 p.m. — family day activities
- 6 p.m. — 8 p.m. — Gun Violence Town Hall
- 8 p.m. — 10 p.m. — Family friendly film
