“Peace in our Streets” calls attention to wave of gun violence

“Be part of the solution.”

That’s the call from Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. over the wave of gun violence that’s swept the Bronx this summer.

He’s pencilled a September 22 date for the third annual “Peace in our Streets,” an anti-gun rally calling attention to several high-profile shootings disturbing the Bronx.

Diaz Jr. will personally take to the streets, knocking on doors to dole out anti-gun violence flyers.
The borough-wide effort will also be led by the Bronx Clergy Task Force, Community Board 3 and Forest Houses Tenant Association, the group representing the Morrisania housing complex where 4-year-old Lloyd Morgan was killed.

He was killed back in July after getting caught in the crossfire between two young men. His death sparked calls to end gun violence in the Bronx.

Another child – 2-year-old Trayvon Bunson – also joins a list of shooting victims. The Hunts Point tyke was grazed in the back shoulder on September 6th while being pushed by his mom in a stroller, according to police.

The day before, Lamin Sellah, a West African immigrant, was shot to death during a robbery at a Belmont gas station he manned. The 28-year-old is survived by his pregnant wife living at home. Police are now looking for two masked men linked to the shooting.

And in late July, Baychester 14-year-old Kemar Brooks was found dead from a stray bullet in Haffen Park.

A staunch supporter of gun control, Diaz Jr. has turned up the volume on getting the city to discuss ways to end gun violence beyond the Bronx.

His “Peace in our Streets” initiative is just several efforts to take illegal guns off the streets. Other initiatives include a gun buyback program co-sponsored by the NYPD.

He’s furthered his stance on gun control by asking Mayor Michael Bloomberg – another gun control advocate – to rethink its “competitive bidding” process after finding the city sold used NYPD shell casings to Georgia ammunition dealer.

Other pols have ramped up efforts to get guns off the streets., including Assemblyman Eric Stevenson who has launched “Occupy Corners” with help from Reverend Al Sharpton.

The pair stood at the corner of 225th Street and White Plains Road the night of August 31 urging young people to resolve disputes without using a gun.

Stevenson has also endorsed the NYPD’s stop-and-frisk measure so long as there are enough reforms to curb illegal stops.

“Peace in our Streets” takes place at Forest Houses community center at 955 Tinton Avenue. Similar rallies will happen on October 6 and 27 with another set for November 3rd.

Reach reporter David Cruz at 718-742-3383 or dcruz@cnglocal.com.

David Cruz can be reach via e-mail at DCruz@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 742-3383