Adams to Appoint “Gun Czar” to Tackle Rise in Shootings

By Matis Glenn

Mayor Eric Adams has appointed an anti-violence activist as a “gun violence czar” amid skyrocketing crime rates and an expectation of even more shootings as the summer months approach.

Andre T. Mitchell, founder of “Man Up!”, a group dedicated to stopping violence, was asked to serve in the position by Adams, first reported by the New York Times on June 1.

Mitchell’s group employs “violence interrupters” who mediate disputes and de-escalate fights from turning bloody. It also provides mentoring and community outreach services, and has had many city contracts.

Mitchell was at the center of a controversy in 2019, when it was alleged that he siphoned funds from the group to family members and for personal reasons.

“We’re going to be focusing on precision prevention, really trying…..to get through to the people who may even consider acting out,” Mitchell, who reportedly will not be paid for the position, told the Times.

“The summer months are difficult months, and we are concerned about them, because you want to win January, February, [and] March,” Adams told told PIX News in April.