KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – They aren’t declaring victory yet, but the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety says shootings are down just a little this year to date, but gun deaths have been reduced by more than half.
The statistics show gun violence doubled during the pandemic and remain high.
Deputy Chief David Boysen says fatal shootings have dropped from seven at this time last year to three this year. He says gun violence by juveniles is where much of the increase has come with 45 shootings by juvenile offenders.
Kalamazoo County Sheriff Richard Fuller says it’s not just a city issue. He says they have found teens tend to be more heavily armed, and less discriminating when they pull the trigger, endangering bystanders. He says it’s become common to find shooting scenes where 40 rounds have been fired.
Fuller says top law enforcement officials from all over the county plan to meet soon to compare notes on teen gun violence and how they can join forces to reduce the pain and tragedy that gun violence causes.
The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners will be asked tonight to follow the lead of the City and also allocate $500,000 to the United Way to fund gun violence prevention agencies.
(reporting from John McNeill)
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