Gun violence prevention task force works to confront 'urgent and serious issue'
Westchester County is cracking down on gun violence. On Thursday, Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins announced the full appointment of the gun violence prevention task force.
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Westchester County is cracking down on gun violence. On Thursday, Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins announced the full appointment of the gun violence prevention task force.
It's an effort that county legislator Shanae Williams initiated.
"There is so much work to be done to eliminate gun violence from our communities. Given the background and expertise of each member, I am confident that they are up for the task," says Williams.
Officials across the county say violent crime is down. However, gun violence still happens.
A tragic example of that unfolded in New Rochelle Monday morning.
“Bullets never have a name on it. This is a children’s area, they get off the bus in that area. It’s just very, very sad," says New Rochelle resident, Anaiya Brane.
David Smith, 22, was shot and killed at the Heritage Homes housing complex off Brook Street.
RELATED: Mount Vernon man accused of pulling trigger in fatal New Rochelle shooting to face judge
Court documents claim the alleged gunman, Ali Mohammed, shot Smith multiple times while other men held him down. Four people have been arrested so far.
People who live in the community say they don't want to see violence like this again.
“It’s time to come together and just be one," Brane tells News 12.
The same goes for members of this newly formed task force.
“We have to set the bar at the highest level to say we need to completely eliminate gun violence in society today," says Hezues R., who is a part of the task force.
Members of the task force say they will be doing that by working to get to the root cause of it all and figuring out effective ways to stop it. They hope this is the start of an even safer future for the entire community.
“We want to make sure we are protecting all residents of Westchester County," says Williams.
You can read more details on the goals of the task force HERE.
