Chirlane McCray Silent After Questions About NYC's Soaring Shooting & Homicide Rate
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Fallout and frustration were on display Thursday morning over New York City's surging murder rate.
A man concerned about the Big Apple turning into gun city went straight to first lady Chirlane McCray for answers, but didn't get any, CBS2's Marcia Kramer reported.
McCray was in Brooklyn to implore residents to send a message to Gov. Andrew Cuomo about rent regulations, but the event was hijacked by gun concerns.
Flatbush resident Abram Nabritt, Jr. took his concerns about the murder rate being up nearly 20 percent directly to McCray.
"Get out there and stop these guns from coming to this city," Nabritt said. "With all the killing that's going on here, it is such a sad time."
"Thanks for being active. Thanks for being out here today," McCray replied.
It was a non-response to the rising fears of gun violence, Kramer reported.
CBS2's Andrea Grymes tried to get answers from McCray, and was met with silence.
"Do you have a message for moms whose children have been victims of gun violence?" Grymes asked.
"We're not going to be taking any questions, thank you," a member of the McCray's staff said.
"Are you worried at all about the number of shootings and murders going up in the city?" Grymes asked.
There was no reply.
"I came here in 1955. I used to walk the streets all night long," Nabritt said. "Now? I'm afraid. I'm 76 years old, and I'm afraid to be out late at night any longer. Because I can walk along the street and get caught in a crossfire."
Brooklyn City Councilman Jumaane Williams tried to calm the man down. WCBS 880's Marla Diamond reported, and later addressed the concern that the man may have had a razor blade on him.
"I did not see a razor blade," Williams said. "At no time do I think anyone felt there was a threat to myself or to the First Lady or to the people, I really just think it was an argument."
Mayor Bill de Blasio and the NYPD are desperate to bring down the number of shootings and murders, Kramer reported.
"Stop and frisk was a good thing, and the way things are going now, they may have to bring it back," Nabritt said.
Others walking the streets in Flatbush told CBS2 they agree.
Chirlane McCray Silent After Questions About NYC's Soaring Shooting & Homicide Rate
"I think they should start back the stop and frisk," Andre Hinds of Canarsie said. "That's what they should start back doing."
"It does concern me, because you never know. I mean, you travel late at night, you see things happen, and you always wonder should you help, will you be an innocent bystander who gets caught in the crossfire?" Leandra Joseph of Flatbush said.
"Something needs to be done about the guns in the street," Flatbush resident Doris Baker added. "It's terrible. You're not safe, day or night."
The mayor's spokeswoman made several points, including overall crime is down 6.6 percent, and and that when shootings and murders spiked last year the NYPD was able to bring them down 25 percent by sending more cops to high-crime areas, Kramer reported.
The mayor is expected to announce soon the creation of an advisory board of clergy to offer suggestions on how to stop the violence, Kramer reported.
