Gothamist reports: NYC Mayor Eric Adams has appointed a longtime community activist as New York City’s “gun violence prevention czar,” a newly-created, volunteer position that represents his latest response to the surge in shootings since the pandemic began.
At a Thursday press conference outside City Hall, Adams announced that Andre T. Mitchell, the founder of the Brooklyn violence interruption group Man Up!, would be the first individual to serve in such a position. Mitchell will co-chair a task force on gun violence with Deputy Mayor of Strategic Initiatives Sheena Wright. Other members include NYPD commissioner Keechant Sewell, Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Philip Banks III and representatives from other city agencies.
“We’ve been using the same tactics over and over again and we’ve been getting the same results,” Mitchell said. “So no one should have a problem with us trying something different.”
“Give us a chance to prove ourselves,” he added.
But the policy impact of the czar and task force — and whether they will be able to stem the rise in shootings — is yet unclear. The task force will neither draw a budget nor have the power to direct city resources, raising questions over its effectiveness. Under an executive order, the group will hold weekly meetings and come up with recommendations on how city agencies could better serve communities affected by gun violence.
Jeffrey Fagan, a law professor at Columbia University who studies policing, said the initiative runs the risk of being more symbolism than substance.
“This is a poor substitute for policy,” he said. Read more: Gothamist
As nonprofit news outlet The City reported at the time, investigators discovered that Mitchell allegedly used money from the group for personal use and gave jobs to family members. During the previous two years, over $15,000 from credit card and delivery sales raised by an East New York coffee shop run by the group ended up in Mitchell’s personal bank account, they reported.
According to the June 2019 DOI memo, Man Up!’s payroll included Mitchell’s daughter as a $65,000-a-year “director of administration” and his son as a $30,000-a-year “program instructor.”
Way to go Adams! The incompetence of this affermative action Mayor grows by the day. What an idiot.
but the askanim said he would be good.
Bring back stop & frisk. That has been proven to bring down crime. Why would this fancy dresser do anything else?