Locals React to Rise of Gun Violence
Gun violence has seen an unfortunate rise in the Poughkeepsie area over the past few months. Although crime has been a persistent issue within the Poughkeepsie area, a rash of shootings has taken place, leaving five people wounded and causing a rise in concern about the safety of everyday life around the area.
“It’s unsettling that these shootings have become so common in our community,” said Tommy Biskop, a Poughkeepsie local. “It makes me nervous for my family and friends who also live in this community.”
The uptick in reports of gun violence began during the early hours of October 29th. Five incidents were reported by the Poughkeepsie Police Department within the evening. A stabbing also took place earlier in the evening leaving a man wounded.
The most violent of the incidents occurred later in the night as a party bus was fired upon departing from Revel 32 by an unidentified individual leaving five wounded. So far the Poughkeepsie Police Department has only been able to arrest one suspect while struggling to collect much evidence.
On November 15th, right in front of Poughkeepsie High School, a drive-by shooting occurred after the dismissal of school with an estimated 40–50 students within the area. Fortunately, no one was injured from the fired shots and the police were able to detain a 13-year-old male who was found in possession of the firearm that matched the shell casings at the scene.
Most recently, a man was shot and wounded outside of Lana Main Stop Deli & Grocery on November 30th. The incident occurred after an argument between the two men when one left to only return later by waiting outside and ambushing the victim with several shots. These consistent acts of violence have left people concerned about the overall safety of Poughkeepsie.
Biskop is not the only local who's been left unsettled after the string of violent acts.
“I’ve been concerned because I want to live in a safe community,” said Danielle Keenan, another resident of the Poughkeepsie area. “I don’t want to walk around in fear not knowing what could happen, especially at a place so innocent like school.”
Despite the complexities of the situation, the Poughkeepsie school district moved quickly to address the tragic incident that occurred this past month by reexamining its safety protocols. According to the Poughkeepsie High School website, they’ve increased the presence of law enforcement at arrival and dismissal times, created additional staffing to enhance the flow of students during class transitions, installed audible alarms on exterior doors, added scheduled sweeps of hallways with the assistance of K-9 units, and lastly extended further support for the mental health of students. This has allowed students to get back to in-person classes while also providing a level of security after such a traumatic incident.
Although Poughkeepsie High School has been able to adapt quickly, the City of Poughkeepsie has yet to reveal an updated plan on how to combat the recent increase in gun-related crimes throughout the community. In fact, Mayor Rob Rolison said in a press conference to the Poughkeepsie Journal that these incidents are unprecedented in recent times for the city.
“We have not seen this level of gun violence in many, many years,” said Rolison. “I don’t know what the answer is. It’s unimaginable to me. It’s time to stop it, and I don’t know exactly when that is going to happen.”
Although Rolison sees the past several incidents as uncharted territory for the community others disagree, believing the number of gun-related crimes to be more of the same in a place that needs serious reforms.
“I’ve always been concerned about the safety of Poughkeepsie,” said Will Conyea, another resident of the city. “Certainly the recent shootings are alarming but these shootings have always been a problem here so it’s not more concern than I have had in the past.”
With a lack of solutions available to solve such a complex issue perhaps the best answer would be to look towards the same people who share the concerns that have come with the increase in gun violence.
“Increasing the presence of law enforcement in dangerous areas would definitely help,” said Keenan. “I also think taking a look at our gun laws as a country could help by making it harder to get one.”
Gun control laws will continue to be a hot-button issue nationally, with recent tragic events like the shooting at Oxford High School in Michigan. Certainly, a change could prevent the senseless violence seen not only in Poughkeepsie but across the country. Some, such as Conyea, believe this is the only way to reduce the incidents that have taken place in Poughkeepsie over the past few months.
“Unfortunately I don’t think there will be a change in gun violence without gun reforms,” said Conyea. “I wish I could be more optimistic about it but I just don’t see it happening.”
In the end, Biskop believes these tragic incidents to be unpreventable, even considering law enforcement’s noble efforts to curb the increase.
“I think local enforcement is trying their best to help protect the citizens around this area,” said Biskop. “But the crime in Poughkeepsie has always been a problem and there are some situations that just can’t be prevented.”
