Albany’s police chief sees progress in fight against violence

Despite more deadly violence in Albany this summer, Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins said the city is seeing progress in the fight against violence. However, Hawkins isn’t celebrating just yet, he said.

When Hawkins sat down with NewsChannel 13’s Faith King ahead of summer, he said he didn’t think the city would see a bloody summer. Then four people were shot during the first week of summer. Three of those people – all under the age of 30 – died.

However, Hawkins pointed out the overall drop in violence during a recent follow-up interview with NewsChannel 13.

Confirmed shots fired are down by nearly 40%. The city saw 67 confirmed shots fired in 2022, and 41 this summer. There were 30 shooting incidents last summer, and 14 this summer. A total of 43 people were shot from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Fifteen people were shot in that same timeframe this year.

Arrests are also up. Albany Police Department took 758 people off the streets this year – up from 713 last year.

Hawkins said this is evidence that progress is being made.

It’s progress from a plan the department put in place during the pandemic. The plan included extra officers and resources in areas of high crime.

Hawkins’ big goal is to make Albany the safest city in the country. He put a plan in place three years ago which will help with that, he said.

Learn what it is by watching the video of Faith King’s story.