Gang violence escalates in Mount Vernon

City officials say gang violence has risen in Mount Vernon, making it more difficult for the police department to protect residents. The police commissioner says that the lines between rival gangs

News 12 Staff

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Jul 10, 2015, 2:07 AM

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Updated 3,457 days ago

City officials say gang violence has risen in Mount Vernon, making it more difficult for the police department to protect residents.

The police commissioner says that the lines between rival gangs are blurred. Periods of violence and non-violence have created challenges for law enforcement.

Officials have deployed a mobile command center with more police presence to quell the violence, but it has been met with mixed opinions from residents.

One resident told News 12 that the solution is for the community to police itself.

"Because this truck is out here, what is it gonna stop? If somebody decides right now to come here and blow my brain out this big truck is not chasing nobody," said Charles Smith.