Sweeping Guns off our Streets

Well, there’s some good news and bad news this week in Bed-Stuy crime.

Good news first: The NYPD just released statistics surrounding gun murders in North Brooklyn in 2011, and Brooklyn is down 13 percent -- more than three times the citywide rate of decline!

The bad news is, the borough still leads the city in gun violence. In fact, most of it is occurring right here in Bed-Stuy and surrounding neighborhoods, such as Crown Heights, Brownsville and East New York.

As Bed-Stuy residents, what should we be doing to address the problem of gun violence? Nothing at all? Or are you ready to sweep guns off of our streets?

The NYPD says the gun buy-back program has experienced some moderate success. In fact, at the most recent gun buy-back event in Bed-Stuy in January, 108 firearms were turned in—the largest number so far. But still, compare that number to the tens of thousands that remain on the street.

Beginning on Saturday, May 19, the second annual S.O.S. (Save our Streets) Arts to End Violence Festival kicked off in Crown Heights, the first of a week-long series of crime-fighting workshops, meetings and activities.

S.O.S. is a community-based effort to end gun violence in Crown Heights. S.O.S. works closely with local organizations, neighborhood churches and pastors, community residents and the individuals most likely to commit a shooting.

So, what do you think is the best long-term solutions in addressing gun violence in Bed-Stuy? Take our poll, and tell us what you think in the comments.