Council Member James F. Gennaro has stated his relief and gratitude that all of the victims of the New Year’s Day shooting at Amazura Concert Hall are in stable condition and are expected to fully recover.
Ten people were wounded after police said three or four men fired about 30 shots at a crowd of people who were standing outside the nightclub in Jamaica for the private event before running to a car and driving off.
Gennaro represents District 24, the area where the shooting occurred, as well as Briarwood, Kew Gardens Hills, Fresh Meadows, Pomonok, and Hillcrest.
Gennaro explained that due to past incidents of gun violence at Amazura, the establishment has an arrangement with the 103rd Precinct pursuant to the City’s Cure Violence Program. The precinct would be informed of events held at Amazura, and the NYPD would advise the establishment and provide police presence to deter violence as needed.
Cure Violence is an evidence-based violence prevention program that works with communities that have high levels of gun violence. The model employs “violence interrupters” and outreach workers from the community who have experienced violence and also have strong relationships with young adults, community leaders, and service providers. Violence interrupters stop conflicts before they happen, and outreach workers re-direct the highest-risk youth away from life on the streets.
However, according to Gennaro, early reports suggest that Amazura did not follow the Cure Violence protocol in this episode, that the police were not made aware of this event, and that, therefore, they were not on the scene to deter the violence. These details are still being investigated.
“I pledge to work with Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and my Council colleagues to ensure that the NYPD’s successful Cure Violence Program, which was created by the City Council in 2011, is strictly complied with by Amazura and all relevant establishments. Non-compliance can result in violence like that which was visited upon the Jamaica community last night, and that is completely unacceptable. Establishments that have been scenes of violence in the past must comply with the Cure Violence Program or be shuttered,” stated Gennaro.
“I will continue to engage with my partners in law enforcement and in the City Council on this issue as we collectively work to finally put an end to preventable violence by employing anti-violence programs that are proven to work. Our communities expect and deserve that local establishments do their part to work with the NYPD to deter gun violence.”
Council Member Nantasha Williams, who also represents much of downtown Jamaica, including the area close to the Amazura nightclub, issued a statement of her own.
“My heart goes out to the victims, their families, and everyone affected by the horrific shooting at Amazura. Violence like this has no place in our communities, and we must come together to address the root causes and ensure the safety of our neighborhoods,” she said.
“I am in close contact with law enforcement and community leaders to support their efforts and will work tirelessly to advocate for the resources we need to prevent tragedies like this. We stand united against senseless violence and are committed to building a safer future for the Southeast Queens community.”
The investigation into the shooting is still ongoing, and anyone with information should contact the NYPD tip line at 800-577-TIPS.
