Published by: Brooklyn Paper

Date: June 6, 2025

Scope: Crown Heights North

Middle school students at the Launch Expeditionary Learning Charter School led their eighth annual “Walkout to End Gun Violence”—marching from Restoration Plaza while wearing orange (a symbol of gun violence awareness), holding signs, presenting poetry, and performing expressive dance. The event featured collaboration with groups like Save Our Streets (S.O.S.), Students Demand Action, and Moms Demand Action, and gave youth a powerful platform to promote peace and push for community healing

Their message was loud and clear: violence has no place in our schools, streets, or future. Through powerful chants, handmade signs, and student-led speeches, these young leaders showed courage and vision. Their rally didn’t just call attention to the problem—it offered hope. Youth from Crown Heights, Prospect Heights, and Weeksville deserve safe spaces to grow, dream, and thrive. Events like this rally remind us that when we support our youth and uplift their voices, real change becomes possible.

What residents can do:

• Attend our monthly meetings or visit an upcoming event to learn how you can get involved.

• Contact us if you want to connect with local youth services or mentoring programs.

• Share this program with neighbors who may need support.

Published by: Innovating Justice

Date: Recent coverage (2025)

Scope: Crown Heights North

Save Our Streets (S.O.S.) is more than just a program—it’s a trusted lifeline embedded in the heart of Crown Heights. Staffed by violence interrupters, many of whom are respected residents or survivors of violence themselves, S.O.S. works tirelessly to de-escalate tensions, prevent retaliation, and offer real solutions before violence erupts. Their presence in the 77th Precinct has helped build trust, support young people at risk, and promote healing through community engagement.

For residents of Crown Heights North, Prospect Heights, and Weeksville, programs like S.O.S. prove that violence isn’t inevitable—and that community care is powerful. By supporting and expanding neighborhood initiatives, we can continue to reduce harm, restore safety, and uplift futures.

What residents can do:

• Attend our monthly meetings or visit an upcoming event to learn how you can get involved.

• Contact us if you want to connect with local youth services or mentoring programs.

• Share this program with neighbors who may need support.

Published by: BK Reader

Date: July 5, 2025

Scope: Brooklyn (including 77th Precinct area)

In a positive shift, Brooklyn saw a notable drop in shootings and homicides during the first half of 2025. NYPD data shows a 17% decrease in shootings and a 6% decline in murders borough-wide compared to 2024. While this includes neighborhoods beyond the 77th Precinct, it’s encouraging for areas like Crown Heights North, Prospect Heights, and Weeksville—where residents have long demanded safety and accountability.

These numbers signal progress, but work remains. Sustained community efforts, NYPD partnerships, and youth engagement are key to maintaining this momentum.

Published by: Associated Press

Date: April 28, 2025

Scope: Crown Heights North (near Chabad-Lubavitch HQ)

A local resident in her 30s experienced terrifying harassment during a protest incident near the Chabad-Lubavitch headquarters in Crown Heights. Mistaken for a protester opposing an Israeli official’s visit, she was surrounded, chased, kicked, and spat upon by a mob of Orthodox Jewish men and boys chanting “Death to Arabs.” Officers ultimately escorted her to safety, but not before she endured serious emotional trauma and physical injury—underscoring how quickly peaceful neighborhoods can spiral into violence.

This assault hits home for neighbors in Crown Heights North, Weeksville, and Prospect Heights. It reveals how community tensions—especially at sites with deep historical and cultural significance—can erupt without warning. Even those uninvolved in any protest can be swept into harm’s way.

Published by: New York Daily News

Date: June 21, 2025

Scope: Crown Heights

In June 2025, a Brooklyn man was sentenced to 25 years in prison for fatally stabbing his romantic rival in Crown Heights. The deadly altercation, driven by jealousy, unfolded in a residential building and shook the local community. While justice has been served, the case is a stark reminder of how personal conflicts can escalate into tragic violence—right here in our neighborhoods.

For residents of Crown Heights North, Weeksville, and Prospect Heights, this incident underscores the importance of conflict resolution, community engagement, and access to mental health resources. Preventing violence before it erupts is key to building a safer, more connected community.

Published by: NY Post

Date: August 12, 2025

Scope: Prospect Park South (adjacent to the 77th Precinct)

A violent gunfight erupted in Prospect Park South when NYPD officers intervened mid-shootout between two men on August 12, 2025. One 22-year-old felon—recently released on parole—was shot and taken to Kings County Hospital in stable condition. Meanwhile, the second suspect escaped toward nearby Church Avenue, and remains at large.

Though this occurred just beyond the 77th Precinct border, it reinforces concerns about gun violence flowing into Crown Heights North, Weeksville, and Prospect Heights. Public safety remains a priority for our community—and every nearby incident is a reminder of the importance of staying vigilant.