Levels of Teenage Violence Continues To Increase

New York City has been experiencing notably high levels of violence involving teenage high school students. Shootings and stabbings have increased, leading to four deaths in the span of less than a year, leaving families, friends, and communities traumatized.

According to a report about the 2022 – 2023 school year, three school children have died while 18 have either been shot or stabbed. When compared to the previous school year, there were less deaths, with one death and eight students shot or stabbed.

The incidents of violence typically occur after dismissal with some kids across the city beginning to notably display anxiety in the final school period of the day.

“Kids are on edge in the classroom every eighth period for fear of what will transpire in the neighborhood on the way home,” a teacher in Queens told the NY Post.

There has been speculation that the rise in violent crimes committed by school children is because they are protected by the Raise the Age law, and thus persuaded to act accordingly. The legislation makes it impossible for children under the age of 18 to be tried as adults.

“The older gang members intent on a bad act use the juveniles to hold the gun. Because if he or she gets caught they won’t have consequences,” an anonymous source said of Raise the Age. “Nobody in their right mind, who has a half a heart, wants to see any juvenile get arrested…But there are some kids — some — who have to be taken off the streets for the safety of the community all the way around.”

Teenagers are seemingly involved in more shootings in the city as they have become savvier to the legal loopholes that exist. Gun arrests for children under 18 have increased by 64% from 2017 until 2022. The age of teenagers carrying guns is getting lower as well. “Now it’s getting to be 13 or 14, if not 12, so you have guns permeating the youth culture and you also see guns on social media,” Richard Aborn, president of the Citizens Crime Commission said.

Over 2,984 weapons have been confiscated from schools including guns, tasers, and knives. If weapon confiscations continue at this rate there is the likelihood the tally will match or go beyond the 6,389 found in 2021 – 2022.

New York City schools are also experiencing violence near schools because of a lack of School Safety Agents and the NYPD Uniformed Task Force. There is a shortage of almost 2,000 School Safety Agents. The 200 member Uniformed Task Force was assigned to the School Safety Division to provide safe corridors for students. The task force was disbanded in 2000. The NYC School Safety Coalition has been calling on Mayor Adams to reinstate the task force to keep students safe outside of schools.

The violence has become so commonplace as it occurs every week. “I don’t want to sit back and sugarcoat it. The crime is definitely increasing and it’s getting worse,” said a school safety agent.

The NYPD has carried out 155 arrests in schools in the 2022-2023 school year. The NYPD has pledged to improve the safety in and around schools.

“Student safety is a priority for the NYPD and we regularly monitor and evaluate crime conditions in and around schools. In response to recent incidents, the precinct commanding officer or executive officer will meet weekly with school principals to discuss issues of note,” the NYPD said.