Brooklyn’s struggle with gun violence hit close to home for Flatbush residents, as multiple shootings, including incidents right outside Assemblywoman Monique Chandler-Waterman’s district office, have left the community shaken.
On Sept. 13, a 19-year-old man was shot near the Assemblywoman’s office. Less than 48 hours later, another shooting at the same location injured a 52-year-old woman. An earlier incident at that corner left an elderly woman wounded and a bystander caught in the crossfire continued to provide aid despite sustaining injuries.
Community leaders, clergy and anti-violence groups gathered for an emergency Shooting Response meeting on Tuesday, emphasizing the urgency of coordinated action in a corridor that has seen repeated gunfire in recent months.
"These incidents underscore, with painful clarity, the urgency of sustained and strategic investments in our neighborhoods, prompting a collaborative community resource focused shooting response," said Chandler-Waterman.
The assemblywoman’s Public Safety Taskforce, made up of East Flatbush Village, Inc., the 67th Precinct Clergy Council (known as the “God Squad”) and Project ECHO, was on the ground immediately, working with NYPD and Cure Violence teams to deliver medical support, de-escalation and reassurance to residents.
Community advocates stressed the need for sustained investment in neighborhood safety, including expanding afterschool and mental health programs, establishing community-center models within public schools, increasing workforce development opportunities for youth and securing real-time funding for anti-violence organizations.
"We must prioritize meaningful change and implement comprehensive strategies to keep our neighborhoods safe and prevent these recurring acts of violence,” Chandler-Waterman said.
