Local organizations and law enforcement continue efforts to end gun violence

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Councilmember Zeneta Everhart wants to create a gun violence prevention office in Buffalo, known by the acronym “BISON,” Buffalo Initiative for Safer, Organized Neighborhoods.

In May of this year, Buffalo lost 12 people to gun violence. Everhart has experienced gun violence herself: her son was injured in the Buffalo mass shooting two years ago, which killed 10 of our friends and neighbors.

It will take several steps before an Office of Gun Violence Prevention becomes a reality, but in the meantime, there are people working every day toward the same goal: eradicating gun violence in the community. They include organizations like MVP, law enforcement officials and city leaders.

“The first thing people say is, ‘What can I do because I’m so sad? Get involved,’” said Mia Ayers-Goss, CEO of the anti-violence organization Most Valuable Parents, or MVP.

Ayers-Goss said many people are working hard to combat violence, but they need more volunteers.

“People need to understand that it’s not the person across the street or the person who works in this organization that’s at fault. It’s you! We need your help,” Ayers-Goss said.

MVP works with parents to help them get the support they need and strives to engage youth in positive activities.

“The main thing we’ve heard from the community and young people about why they’re in trouble or why they’re doing what they’re doing is that we have nothing else to do,” Ayers-Goss said.

Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia said the city has a summer youth program to keep youth busy.

“You certainly see that in the summer, schools are closed, children have a lot of free time and unfortunately that is when potential problems arise,” said Commissioner Gramaglia.

He said they have worked hard over the past few years to identify problem areas.

“We also conduct a lot of intelligence-based investigations into the individuals who are behind gun violence and we send our intelligence detectives and our police officers after them,” Gramgalia said.

As police work to build positive relationships with youth, MVP is asking for your help with one of its programs.

“We have the Neil Dobbins Downtown Restorative Basketball League. We just need more cooperation,” Ayers-Goss said, explaining that they need more gym space.

“It’s been extremely difficult, so if you’re in government or you’re in Buffalo Public Schools or you know someone…we need to have access to a space to welcome these young people and help them,” Ayers-Goss said.

She said you can also sponsor a team or be a mentor through MVP.

“People need to stop pointing fingers at others and look at themselves,” Ayers-Goss said.

For more information on how you can volunteer or donate, click here.