BUFFALO, N.Y. — New York Governor Andrew Cuomo provided an update Monday on the COVID-19 pandemic across the state and stated that violence across the state has seen an increase.
According to the governor, Buffalo has seen a 66 percent increase in shootings compared to last year.
“Unfortunately, the governor is accurate," said Buffalo Police Captain Jeff Rinaldo. "We have seen a drastic increase in the number of shootings in the city. This seems to be a trend that's occurring not only here, but nationally as well, in all major cities."
Rinaldo said the majority of shootings are targeted and that stress from the pandemic and new bail reform laws could be contributing factors to the increase.
“We’re seeing cases now where people that have been arrested and charged with crimes are released and right back out within a few hours, either committing another crime or becoming a victim of a crime,” Rinaldo said.
The announcement of an increase in shootings in the Queen City comes after a new initiative was formed in the City of Buffalo, which aims to bring together local and federal law enforcement resources to reduce violent crime in the city.
'Shoot Review,' which includes members of the Buffalo Police, U.S. Attorney's Office, Erie County District Attorney's Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and others will meet once a week to review information and compare notes about shootings from the week before.
“Anytime that you can collaborate and bring more resources together to help solve any kind of crime issue it's always a positive thing and generally yields positive results,” Rinaldo said.
Earlier in July, Buffalo mayor Byron Brown called for 'ceasefire' following multiple shootings across the city over a span of several weeks.