Gun Violence Up In Suffolk, Down In Nassau County On The Year
HAUPPAUGUE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - It's the tale of two counties on Long Island when it comes to trends in gun violence.
As WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs reported, shootings went up in Suffolk County by 21 percent while the reverse was true in Nassau. Gun violence dropped 24 percent there, according to statistics released by law enforcement.
Gun Violence Up In Suffolk, Down In Nassau County On The Year
No reason given for the disparity between neighboring Long Island counties. Police, however, blame Suffolk's jump in gun violence on the growth of gang and drug activity.
Local officials said the numbers should not be a cause for alarm.
"These generally are not random at all," Suffolk County Deputy Chief Kevin Fallon told Xirinachs. "They usually involve gang members, are drug related or some type of revenge or personal vendetta shootings."
The statistics show 63 people were struck by gunfire in Suffolk this year, compared to 52 last year. The increase represents a reversal of a downward trend in gun violence since 2008.
Fallon said the department is analyzing the numbers and will take steps to combat the uptick in shootings going forward.
The numbers were compiled through the first ten months of the year annually.
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