The Post-Standard has an article on the candidates running for Mayor of Syracuse. They were asked this question:
“Mayor Ben Walsh started an office to reduce gun violence during his administration. Would you continue that office as mayor? Why or why not? If you’ll keep it, how would you change it?”
Here are relevant excerpts:
- Thomas Babilon (R): “Syracuse has a problem with violence, not guns … The current efforts of the Office to Reduce Gun Violence are directed at violence prevention and a more appropriate name would be the Office of Community Violence Prevention. Some of the efforts of the office should be applauded … Other aspects of the program are questionable. Especially concerning is its use of “credible messengers” with questionable backgrounds and a lack of training as messengers to our at-risk youth … If it is to be sustained as an independent office of the mayor, its success must be demonstrated. While a version of the office is likely to continue under my administration for the purpose of managing state and federal pass-through grants, at this time the office has been unable to articulate any success that would justify its continued existence in its current for …”
- Pat Hogan (D): “Yes, I would continue the office to reduce gun violence, but I would reshape it to focus more directly on equity, prevention, and community-driven solutions. Gun violence is a public health crisis that we cannot police our way out of. We need to invest in people …”
- Chol Majok (D): “While I respect Mayor Walsh’s intent in creating the Office to Reduce Gun Violence, I will not continue the office in its current form — it will not be housed at City Hall. The strategies used by the current administration have fallen short. We must take a new direction that addresses violence directly and builds real trust and safety in our neighborhoods … My focus will be on measurable outcomes, real accountability, and partnerships that save lives. Rehabilitation services will be offered, but unlike the current administration, they will not be optional. Those who continue to bring violence to our neighborhoods will face strong and consistent consequences … Gun violence is not just a policing issue—it’s a public health and community trauma issue, and we must treat it that way …”
- Sharon Owens (D): “Gun violence is a public health crisis. I won’t just continue the Mayor’s Office to Reduce Gun Violence (MORGV), I’ll make it stronger …”
There is a Democrat primary for the month. As I have frequent said, gun activists must participate in the election process, especially in urban Democrat enclaves. With that in mind, I believe the best choice in the primary is to vote for Majok. In the general, support Babilon.