Mayor of Aurora, Richard C. Irvin and Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman address the uptick in crime, particularly shootings and homicides at a February 3 media briefing. Seventy-six percent of homicides the past year have been deemed gang-related, with the majority being minority males in their late teens and 20s. “Black and Brown kids are killing each other,” said mayor Irvin. “We’ve got to do something.” Mayor Irvin and Chief Ziman provided an overview of solutions to the growing problem, both internally at City Hall and the police department and externally with community-based efforts. Irvin read the names of 10 young men and boys murdered in Aurora in the last year. Mayor Irvin asked for those in Aurora who regularly stand up for injustice, “where are your voices now?” He said APD has taken close to 150 guns away from gang members. The City is considering purchasing additional technology including ShotSpotter for rapid detection of gun shots and predictive analytics technology. He said “silence leads to violence” and encouraged the community to anonymously share tips about crime.Jason Crane/The Voice
