Anti-gun advocates speaking out in Orange County on the alarming statewide rise in gun violence

Newburgh saw a spike in gun crime last year, with near-daily shootings in November That trend showing no signs of slowing down. There's a spotlight on the statewide inner-city rise in gun violence, as the nation mourns the loss of two NYPD officers gunned down on duty.

News 12 Staff

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Feb 2, 2022, 11:00 PM

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Updated 1,057 days ago

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Ahead of President Biden's crime-centered visit to New York City, Orange County residents are speaking out to stop gun violence.

From shootouts to deadly gun violence, gun crime is hurting the City of Newburgh.

Newburgh saw a spike in gun crime last year, with near-daily shootings in November That trend showing no signs of slowing down. There's a spotlight on the statewide inner-city rise in gun violence, as the nation mourns the loss of two NYPD officers gunned down on duty.

"Illegal guns is the tool but it's not the cause of the violence," said Michele McKeon, of RECAP.

Outreach workers like McKeon with RECAP says President Biden's anti-crime visit to New York City Thursday should focus on deep-rooted problems behind gun-violence.

"Unless our leaders are putting resources towards housing, educations, jobs, healthcare, substance abuse disorder – unless they are tackling those issues, we will always have gun violence."

RECAP has three locations in Orange County and provides programs to help inner-city families, including the anti-violence program – SNUG.

"Address it like we address addiction," added Orenzo Charles of SNUG. "We know that addiction is a disease and violence has those same mechanics to move like a disease and it could be very contagious."

Both say the pandemic made problems that inner city families face worse - and say help – now more than ever – is needed to curb a dangerous trend.

President Biden is expected to meet with New York City Mayor Eric Adams Thursday to discuss strategies addressing gun crime.