SNUG takes on Albany gun violence

CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Albany Police Department held a press conference Wednesday and Mayor Kathy Sheehan addressed the recent concern over gun violence saying. "I'm not a superhero, I don’t have a cape, we have streets that have been flooded with guns. People can now make guns with 3d printers and so we have a gun problem in this country."

The city has seen a rash of shootings in recent weeks, and officials are looking for solutions and preventative measures. Capital Region community-based support groups already working to eliminate that gun problem. NEWS10 was on scene with one of those groups who want to flip the tide of guns on the streets. They take their message to the streets every time shooting violence occurs.

SNUG, guns spelled backwards, is a community-based group that hits the streets to provide outreach and support to neighborhoods affected by gun violence.  “Now we know that gun violence is not just about guns. It's about lack of opportunity. It's about being frustrated at a system that you may not be able to navigate. It's about not knowing how to keep children safe,” said SNUG outreach supervisor, Eric Thompson.

When a neighborhood is the scene of gun violence, SNUG sends in what they call a shooting response team. “We're not the police, obviously, but we're there to be intersected between the harm in the elements that created harm reduction is our whole goal. Every day, no matter where we are or what we're doing,” said Eric Thompson SNUG Outreach Worker Supervisor.

“We do it because we want to see the community prosper. We want to see the community in a healthy state. You know, we’re tired of seeing the miserable, seeing the innocent kids lose that innocence from them,” said Toya Allen SNUG Outreach Worker.

Thompson said their outreach workers actively try to make the Capital Region a better, safer place for all by saying, “Everybody that puts in that work, it puts their lives on the line to make this community better.”

SNUG outreach worker Zaevon Meseck said, “I'm trying to provide the same resources that I never had, to the kids to give them an opportunity. It’s just that, really. It isn’t for nothing else extra. I'm trying to give back how it was given to me.”

“It feels good to me. That's why I do it. I love it. I love it so much. I came up for these programs. Yeah, I'm a success from programs like this, so I believe in it. 100%,” said SNUG Outreach worker Thadd Rouse.  

SNUG does more than just react. “Every day when we canvas we go into the streets and ask questions. A lot of people don’t recognize but a canvas is an opportunity to survey. The word canvas means an in-depth examination, and that's what we do, go into the community and do,” explained Thompson.

The neighborhood came out to show support and share their ideas to help stop the violence. “Over by Frisbee Ave they have like a little recreation center. They can make more of those and other stuff, too. Where, you know, people can go to a location instead of being out here, roaming around the area and shooting each other,” said area resident Khilil McBride.