SYRACUSE -- Syracuse Mayor Matt Driscoll issued the following statement Sunday afternoon in response to a series of violent incidents in the city.
"The increase in violence we have seen in 2008 and continuing right through the first days of 2009 is unacceptable and will be met with strengthened police redeployment. Over the last 5 days we have seen senseless gun violence that has seriously injured and/or killed 7 people. All of these crimes involved guns and possibly drugs. Over the next week, Police Chief Gary Miguel and myself will be looking at new strategic redeployment of current resources at our disposal including the gang task force, Operation Impact, nuisance abatement laws, and other initiatives, along with soliciting help from New York State, where possible. I am also asking the public for their help, not only in information related to the incidents over the past 24 hours on Kellogg Street and on Lilac Street, but also any information about illegal gun and drug activity in your neighborhoods. We will be using every possible tool at our disposal to remove these unscrupulous individuals from our community. It is truly unfortunate that these violent offenders have chosen a life of gun and drug activity that have significantly cheapened their lives, however, we will not allow them to de-value the quality of our lives in our neighborhoods."
Mayor Matthew J. Driscoll was responding to the latest violent incidences within the City. On January 4, 2009 at 3am there were gunshots on Kellogg Street that seriously injured 4 people. At 1pm later the same day, a 47-year-old male was fatally shot on Lilac Street. Identified as Casmir Snyder, the victim was an employee of the City Department of Public Works as a Motor Equipment Operator. Snyder was out on workers compensation for the last 2 months.
During 2008, a record number of homicides totaling 25 occurred in the City of Syracuse, with the 24th and 25th happening on New Year's Eve day as a result of illegal drug and gun violence activity.
The Mayor's office and the Syracuse Police Department will be issuing further information regarding details of the above-mentioned crimes, when available and appropriate. Updates regarding increased police presence and initiatives will be ongoing.
