Crime Mostly Down in Albany, But Community Still Concerned
New police chief Brendan Cox and Mayor Kathy Sheehan are painting a picture of progress when it comes to crime in Albany.
Promising Signs, But a Concerning Factor Remains
Both Cox and Sheehan stressed the importance of addressing gun control, citing recent statistics that show a decrease in gun crimes overall. However, the department expressed concerns about the ease of accessing firearms.
Gun-Related Crimes Declining, but Ease of Access Concerns Persists
According to the Albany Police Department’s (APD) statistics, gun crimes have declined by 55 percent over the past two years. Shootings are down, and gun arrests are up 8 percent. Nevertheless, Cox emphasized the need for stricter controls.
"If you see somebody that has a gun, if you have a family member that has a gun, please get that gun off the street. Call us! Let’s get that gun off the street. We do not need more guns on our streets," said Cox.
Cox referred to the ability to manufacture homemade firearms using 3D printing technology, pointing out that a recent arrest involving an Albany resident manufacturing ghost guns using a 3D printer highlighted the urgency of the situation.
National-Level Solution Required
Mayor Sheehan recognized gun control as a policy issue, emphasizing the need for societal and political shifts to address the issue. According to Sheehan, New York State and Albany City had previously taken significant steps to limit gun access and improve public safety.
[In the past] when people were coming to me and asking me what I was going to do about gun violence in the city of Albany, I would say, don’t talk to me about stopping gun violence without talking to me about common sense gun control! Something happened during the pandemic that I think was a major shift in how people think, and we live in a country where people believe they need to carry a gun the Democrat added.
Mixed Results, Ongoing Challenges
APD data indicates that other forms of violence are also showing decline. Violent crime as a whole has decreased, with notable drops in murder (down 35%) and robbery (down 6%). However, rape has experienced an increase (up 47%) due, in part, to the State legislature’s combined definition of the crime.
Community Leaders Offer Insights, Call for Greater Involvement
Pastor Charlie Muller of Victory Church advocated for increased involvement between the police and the community to address persisting crime problems, despite decreased numbers.
We’ll do the picnics in the park for the police department. We don’t need all the police there We can do the community stuff because we’re here to do that, but let’s get active in policing these areas that are very dangerous, said Muller.
A Broad Picture Emerges
In addition to crime statistics, calls to APD have declined, indicating an overall drop in reported incidents across the city.
Conclusion
In summary, despite progress in curbing crime rates, the concerns over gun violence and access continue to weigh on the minds of the Albany police and community. It is imperative for the APD to foster collaboration with citizens to address existing problems and potential issues, leading to a more cohesive and informed approach to keeping the city’s streets safe.
FAQs
- Q: What crime statistics are highlighted in the report?
A: Violent crime as a whole, murder, and robbery have shown significant declines (35%, and 6%), respectively. Rapet has risen (47% increase), which can be attributed to the combination of legal statues. Gun-related crimes have fallen 55%. Calls to police and property crime statistics have decreased overall.
- Q: Why is ease of access concerning to the department?
A: Due to the capacity to manufacture firearms using 3D printing, APD remains vigilant about implementing effective gun controls and addressing unlicensed gun manufacturers.
- Q: Are the community’s concerns being listened to?
A: Pastor Charlie Muller, representing Victory Church, is advocating for greater involvement with the police, expressing concerns for high-crime areas and wishing for more practical community policing practices.
- Q: Has there been significant improvement in response rates?
A: The decline in reported incidents may suggest an upward trend in reported incidents, giving an indication that APD continues to work well to address overall crime rates within the city limits.
