Officials Schedule Gun Buybacks in Bronx

By GLORIA CRUZ

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark, New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea, the New York Yankees, and elected officials announced on Thursday a gun buyback program in the wake of a steep rise in gun violence throughout the city during the pandemic.

The event was scheduled for Saturday at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 777 East 222nd St. in The Bronx from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Participants who surrender operable handguns or assault rifles will receive a $200 pre-paid card, and the first 150 participants will receive a free iPad. Those who turn in rifles, shotguns, or airguns will receive a $25 pre-paid card. District Attorney Clark describes the buyback as “an opportunity for people to turn in guns, no questions asked, and receive cash AND a useful tool to help their children’s education.”

Marisa Vargas and Alberto Cruz, residents living near Highbridge in The Bronx, approve of the program but complain that it is not enough to control the spike in gun violence this year.

“More needs to be done,” said Cruz. “It’s like one of those Hollywood western movie gunfights out here and not enough arrests happening. The governor and the city’s police department have this unclear back and forth, and we’re the ones dealing with the consequences.”

According to a press release from The Office of Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark, The Bronx has had 377 gun violence victims this year compared to the 196 victims in 2019. This week, the Bronx has had several shooting victims, including Wendolin Ortiz, 19, who was shot and killed on Monday on Jerome Ave—near Kingsbridge Road and Aaron Santiago, 23, killed on Anderson Avenue in Highbridge Wednesday night.

Vargas believes the response to the buyback will not be as effective as others have in the past, saying, “It’s a good effort, but for those who have it for protection and are not shooting innocent people, how do you hand in something you have for protection with how dangerous this city has become lately? There are bullets entering people’s homes through the window! There’s nowhere to be safe.”