Shots fired calls in Syracuse increase by 144%; Violence in Upstate NY hit new records

Syracuse, N.Y. — There has been 200 more shots fired calls in 2020 compared to 2019. According to Syracuse Police, 723 shots fired calls have been made this year and only 501 last year.

"This year was the first time that I have been at my house around gunshots," said Westcott resident, David Knapp.

Knapp captured video of a drive-by shooting in front of his home on his doorbell camera.

“I got a newborn at home. I just rushed back to his room before I even processed what happened. I think the shots were still being fired by the time I was back in his room," said Knapp.

According to Syracuse police, the rise in shootings reflect what's going on across the country. Syracuse sits at 28 homicides this year which is 8 more than last year.

Tuesday night, more shots were fired in the Westcott neighborhood. A 23-year-old man is listed in critical condition after being shot on Judson Street. 133 shootings with injuries have been reported in Syracuse so far in 2020.

"I'm sure it's startling to people who live in Westcott but other people in Syracuse have been experiencing stuff like this before, said Knapp. We need to consider the safety and the prosperity of the entire city not just the one neighborhood that we live in."

The uptick in violence is happening across Upstate New York.

The City of Buffalo has the most homicides in the region.

Rochester is seeing its highest number of gun-related deaths in 10 years and shootings in Albany have skyrocketed.

Syracuse Police Chief Kenton Buckner released this statement Wednesday.

Violent crime is a complex issue. The vast majority of suspect and victims have a pre-existing relationship prior to the violent incident. The day to day socioeconomic issues in our community coupled with a department with increasing vacancies does not help the situation. There is no question the pandemic has played a role in increased violent crime across America. Syracuse has paralleled this trend. So far, we have a decrease in overall crime. As it is with complex issues, the police cannot solve this issue alone. We continue to work with our community partners to respond to this frustrating issue. 2020 will likely be in the record books for many different challenges. Our community must stick together and continue to do our individual and collective part to keep our city safe.

Syracuse Police is preparing to lose its ShotSpotter technology because of budget cuts. The program helps the department detect gunfire. According to SPD, there is no plan for a replacement as they are in search for another source of funding.

“Syracuse is a super segregated place. It is one of the most segregated cities in America so to think that certain people in the city are falling on economic hardship is not a surprise to me at all, said Knapp.

Get involved in some way. It'll help. It's not just your neighborhood, it’s the entire town."