By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – 2006 turned into the deadliest year in Buffalo in more than a decade. There were 73 murders. That compares to 56 murders in 2005. But shortly after the New Year arrived, an 18-year-old woman was shot to death outside a bar on the city's East Side. By early Tuesday morning, a 17-year-old was shot while standing in the doorway of his East Side home and died at ECMC.
Mayor Byron Brown says "sadly" and "alarmingly," the city's murder rate has increased.
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The flow of guns and an increase in gangs remain are an ongoing problem for the city. But Brown wants to expand a "Knock and Ask" program started last year. The city actually goes to homes of suspected gang members and knocks on the doors.
Brown says guns are coming into Buffalo for a number of sources, including stolen weapons from legal gun owners. Brown is getting ready to launch a gun buyback program in late March. But WBFO News asked the Mayor if he truly believes gang members or potential criminals would be willing to hand over their guns. Brown says yes, and points to other cities, like Chicago, where 3,000 guns were removed through a buy back program.
Brown says because witnesses claim there were underage drinkers at the bar where the 18-year-old woman was killed New Year's day, the city will crack down on bars and clubs for violations. The Mayor will call on Governor Spitzer for stricter and swifter enforcement when bars don't comply.