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To the editor:

I have been a resident of Suffolk for almost 32 years. I would like to address the current high crime rate of gun violence. For the month of January, the number of reports of armed robberies, carjackings and shootings are shocking. It is obvious that this matter has only worsened. We risk losing an entire generation to this violence. In the last few years, I have already lost friends and family due to gun violence.

This violence is not only an epidemic going on all over the world, but it is happening right here in our city too. As residents of this city, we should not have to be in fear of going to the store, school, or even outside in general. Someone needs to take this matter more seriously. We need to produce preventable solutions to put an end to this violence. Weapons need to be safely secured and kept from children, criminals and unstable individuals.

Place programs in schools and communities that help show us signs and signals before shootings happen. Also, we need more community involvement to support community-based violence reduction programs. Enable universal background checks including private sale and gun show sales. Most people who have used a gun for a crime have obtained firearms from off the street or in the underground market. Please contact our local police stations and legislators and demand reasonable and responsible change. Thank you.

Jeanette Scott

Suffolk