Violence on the Rise

By: Victoria Kourkoutis, Community Reporter

In recent weeks there has been an increase in shootings and violence around the country such as the Buffalo supermarket massacre and Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas.  In most cases, how a suspect acquired a gun is brought into question, promoting action from local, state and federal politicians.

Closer to home, there was a shooting in Fresh Meadows involving students from Francis Lewis High School.  There was another shooting on the corner of Kissena Boulevard and Melbourne Avenue outside Queens College.

WJPS’s Substance Abuse Prevention Intervention Specialist, Mr. Uchenna Ijeaku said, “to speak on the violence occurring around schools is very alarming and requires attention to be paid by our community at large to come up with new and creative ways to prevent and deal with these situations of violence as they occur.”

School Safety Agent Ms. Saifun said, “the security guards and administration go outside and wait at the bus stop until students get on.” She added, “Sometimes we get help from the 111th precinct and the school safety taskforce.”

Additionally, WJPS senior Naomi Long said, “The rise in violence in NYC and around the country is getting out of control.  People are getting hurt and killed for silly and unknown reasons.”

“Crime Scene Tape” by Null Value is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.