By Dave Lucas
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-919893.mp3
Albany, NY –
In the wake of recent violence attributed to street gangs in Buffalo and Brooklyn, officials and community advocates are holding a roundtable discussion tonight in Albany concerning gun and gang violence. Capital District Bureau Chief Dave Lucas has a preview.
Gang activity across New York has been on the rise. Earlier this summer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's office released figures pegging the state's gang population at around 50-thousand, with some 35-hundred gang members living in the Capital Region.
New York State Senator Eric Schneiderman is national chair of a group called "Legislators against illegal guns" - he notes that illegal firearms and gangs go hand-in-hand --- he cites community awareness and communication of ideas as drivers of tonight's meeting.
Brother Yusef Burgess is one of tonight's scheduled speakers - he is the Family Intervention Specialist for the all-boys Green Tech Charter High school in Albany - Burgess believes the economic downturn has contributed to the growth of gang-related activity.
Schneiderman encourages citizens to attend tonight's meeting. The discussion on gun and gang violence will be held from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at the main branch of the Albany Public Library, 161 Washington Avenue.