Gittens Outraged By Another Shooting Incident Near School; Seeks Enforcement Of Existing Laws

ST. CROIX — Senator Kenneth Gittens, vice-chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety on Wednesday said that he was once again outraged by the frequent shooting incidents in the community. He said the problem becomes even more vexing when this reckless shooting with wanton disregard take place near a school campus, as was reported just after noon Wednesday.

“Every time I hear of gunshots ringing out in our community I am sickened. I am left to ponder if our residents and primarily young men have reached a level of ignorance, where they can no longer settle disputes in a non-violent manner and if they have lost all sense of regard for the lives of others. It takes a person with no consideration for others to be wielding guns and firing shots near our schools, churches, shopping centers or other common areas where others are gathered,” Mr. Gittens said.

Act 7520, according to the second-term Democrat, was legislation that he sponsored in the 30th Legislature which expanded the perimeter around schools and other places within which it is a violation to carry an unlicensed firearm from 100 feet to 1,000 feet.

“Laws are created and were created to protect our community. Our students should not have to go to school on a daily basis and be in fear, not knowing which day a stray bullet will cause their demise or that of their friend. We must continue to maintain a safe haven for our students by engaging our police and other law enforcement officers to do proactive policing in these traditionally high-crime areas and challenge our residents to report violators to the authorities,” he said.

The senator said there has been great outcry in the community for assistance from the federal government to help with the proliferation of guns across our borders, but from where he stands, that is not the only issue.

“We need assistance with stopping guns from coming into our territory, but we have so many illegal guns here and on our streets already, we need to also focus on how we can shut down the gun culture and protect our residents. This is not something that law enforcement can do alone, it is going to take a strong partnership with the community that will be based on trust. Those of you who know who the gun-toting bandits are in your neighborhoods or have information that could help get some guns and shooters off the streets, I urge you to speak up and be the change that you want to see in your community today and reduce the chances or yourself or loved one being a victim tomorrow,” Mr. Gittens concluded.

Feature Image: Police conducting investigation into this afternoon’s shooting in the Aureo Diaz Housing Community. In this picture, they are near building 1. (Credit: Ernice Gilbert, VIC).