Writing Projects
These are some of my best features and game stories I've written as a sports reporter for the Daily Orange. As of 4/5/23, I have 76 articles published on their website. You can click on the button to the right of the headline to see the articles. Below the Daily Orange stories, you can find some multimedia stories I've done for my mobile and social media journalism class.
Sports Features
Mobile Journalism Stories
For my Mobile and Social Media Journalism class, I create multimedia stories for online and digital formats. These posts involve online articles, videos, pictures, and Twitter/Facebook posts.
Gun buyback program to be held in Syracuse
Nine locations around the state are simultaneously holding gun buybacks on April 29
APRIL 26, 2023: Syracuse is one of many cities participating in New York State Attorney General Letitia James’ statewide gun buyback program.
Saint Lucy’s Food Pantry on Gifford Street is hosting a gun buyback on Saturday with the help of the Syracuse Police Department. Saint Lucy’s joins eight other locations around New York State accepting firearms in exchange for monetary compensation - no questions asked.
Syracuse Police Sergeant Thomas Blake said they’re not trying to get anyone in trouble.
“We set up a place where basically we offer amnesty so folks can bring in rifles, handguns, shotguns, whatever they have that they’d like to turn in,” Blake said. “We’ll give them gift cards for doing that and specific amounts depending on what they’re turning over to us.”
The compensation varies depending on the type of firearm
-
$500 for an assault rifle or ghost gun
-
$150 for a handgun
-
$500 for the first handgun a person brings in
-
-
$75 for a rifle or shotgun
-
$25 for a non-working gun, a replica, an antique, a homemade gun, or a 3D printed gun
SPD is asking people to bring the firearms to St. Lucy's unloaded and inside a bag or a box. (Credit: Creative Commons)
SPD is hoping it will recover enough firearms this weekend to negate how many are flowing into our region. Blake said guns still end up in Central New York, even with strict state and local laws.
“Down south, it’s much easier to get your hands on guns like this,” Blake said. “So a lot of times, what we’re finding is that these guns are being transported here from further down state. The other problem is that we have legal gun owners, unfortunately, sometimes they leave handguns in their unsecured cars and they get stolen by people that are rifling through cars or they lose them.”
It’s also become increasingly difficult to control the amount of guns in circulation due to the emergence of “ghost guns.” The attorney general is providing the most money for turning them in.
The smallest differences can make the ATF consider something a firearm instead of a random contraption. (Credit: everytownresearch.org)
But, what exactly are ghost guns? It’s a firearm that is privately made and untraceable because it doesn’t have a serial number it would normally get from a real manufacturer. Ghost guns are assembled from parts that are either 3D printed or found in a “buy, build, shoot” kit.
Often available online, anybody can buy these kits because they’re not considered guns until they’re assembled. So, anyone from convicted felons to children can get their hands on these.
In 2021, law enforcement found roughly 20,000 ghost guns during criminal investigations and reported them to the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It’s ten times the amount that was recovered in 2016. Blake said it’s something his department continues to see regularly.
“I think the ghost gun thing - that's huge,” Blake said. “We're seeing more and more of those. I can tell you when I [joined SPD] 13 years ago, I never even heard of a ghost gun. With internet suppliers, it's easy to go online and buy different parts and then assemble your own weapon.”
Blake says every time they hold a gun buyback, the department sees more ghost guns turned in than previous times. It’s a trend he expects to continue this weekend.
The Violence Policy Center reports that New York State sees a gun death rate of 5.44 per 100,000 people (Credit: Creative Commons)
Still, SPD says it believes with less guns in circulation, firearms will be harder to find, leading to a reduction in violent crime.
The Alternatives to Violence Project runs workshops with people incarcerated for violent crime. Shirley Way, the organization’s office administrator, said the incarcerated people she’s worked with agree - taking more firearms off the streets will reduce gun violence.
“Guns were readily available and offered,” Way said. “Somebody (I’ve worked with) bought an assault rifle and he says once you get it, you’re going to use it – and he did. It would be helpful if there were not so many guns available.”
Syracuse last held a gun buyback in May of 2022 and retrieved 240 firearms. Blake expects the numbers to be even higher this year with more awareness of these events. He said that SPD has units specifically assigned to go on the street and recover illegal handguns.
Onondaga County Legislator Charles Garland continues calls for more surveillance cameras in Syracuse
The city currently has roughly 100 installed around the city
APRIL 12, 2023: On March 22nd, Onondaga County Legislator Charles Garland (D) was meeting with a family at the Garland Brothers Funeral Home, where he is the funeral director. Suddenly, they heard a volley of shots and Garland made everyone go inside He locked all the doors and then went out into the parking lot to see what was going on.
"From the sound of it, We thought it was maybe behind us, but then the police officers started in the arriving," Garland said. "They were right outside my mother's house because we've got the funeral home, and then kitty corner adjacent. I have a house and that's where she lives."
From the sound of the gunfire, he had thought the shots had come from behind the funeral home, but soon after he saw police arriving in front of it, which was also right outside Garland’s mother’s house.
He went outside and spoke with the officers as they investigated the scene. Thankfully, Garland’s mother was completely fine. The next morning, Garland found out that the bullets hit the side of his mother’s house, a home next door, and police identified casings around the corner. This prompted Garland to renew the call for more surveillance cameras around the city.
Syracuse Police Public Information Officer Lieutenant Matt Malinowski says there’s already a hundred surveillance cameras installed around the city. In addition, his department wants to add license plate-reading cameras as many violent crimes are committed in vehicles. Malinowski agrees with Garland that cameras help solve cases and prevent people from committing violence.
“We find (surveillance cameras) very valuable in solving crime. Also, in an attempt to deter crime, that visual or with the blue blinking light is effective,” Syracuse Police Public Information Officer Lieutenant Matt Malinowski said. “We definitely want to increase the number of cameras that we have in the city.”
Garland thought shots came from behind the funeral, but officers arrived across the street. (Credit: Google Maps)
Malinowski adds that many cases have been solved solely off using cameras. He said police have encountered incidents where a dozen people were shot in front of a hundred witnesses, but no one wanted to cooperate with officers to find the suspects. Garland said these are the exact situations that cameras are needed for.
“Either there's no eyewitnesses or people are reluctant,” Garland said. “They don't want to say anything because they're afraid.”
But, there’s been some pushback in communities over adding these cameras. Some residents are uncomfortable being watched and don’t want any sort of surveillance in their neighborhood. But, Malinowski explained that these cameras are strictly for officers working on cases of violent crime and everyone else has nothing to worry about.
Garland said for many people, knowing there's police cameras makes a neighborhood feel more safe. (Credit: Creative Commons)
“We're not spying on people that might be doing something nefarious in their relationship or cheating on their taxes or something like that,” Malinowski said. “It's really designed for violent crime that occurs, that we can investigate these incidents. We're not spying in people's homes, or, if you're cheating on your diet. It's really for serious crime.”
However, Malinowski said there are obstacles in the way of adding more cameras around the city.
-
There's been COVID-related supply chain delays that have prevented law enforcement from receiving the camera parts needed to install them.
-
They need to work with the National Grid and utility companies to get internet services to the camera and get them online.
Garland understands if police don’t have the existing infrastructure needed to get these cameras online, but he said in the Southside he’s heard differently.
“We have been told the infrastructure, the wiring is there, all they have to do is just run some lines,” Garland said. “I've always said the reason that they don't do these things is because they don't want to. You see these cameras in the most obscure places. They'll throw those up in a heartbeat.”
Onondaga County has the highest juvenile crime rate in the state. (Credit: Creative Commons)
Malinowski said SPD uses its crime analysis center to identify high crime areas to put up cameras in. But, Garland claims there’s a disproportionate amount of SPD resources going to Armory Square and University Hill, even though the most crime happens in other neighborhoods like the Southside. He wants to see a more equitable distribution of law enforcement resources and believes that more surveillance cameras installed in Southside would be a reflection of that.
Malinowski asked Syracuse residents to call on their common council members to advocate for more surveillance cameras. In the meantime, he said SPD is trying to boost surveillance around the city and cover any blind spots they may have.
“(We) are really upgrading the existing cameras that we have in place, but we've also applied for some funding through the state to put up over 20 cameras in some high crime areas where we're lacking camera coverage.”
City of Syracuse is considering a new violence reduction program
Mayor Ben Walsh has brought the proposal to the City Council
MARCH 29, 2023: The Syracuse Common Council is mulling over a proposal that would pay people who are prone to violence $100 to $200 stipends to participate in mental health circles, job training, and career coaching. Mayor Ben Walsh’s Office to Reduce Gun Violence brought forth this initiative in early March, but is yet to be voted on by the city's common council. The Walsh administration believes they can reduce violent crime by giving people who are likely to be violent the resources they need to turn their life around.
Syracuse Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens has argued for this program on the basis that it’s been successful in other places, like Richmond, California. The city across the bay from San Francisco is about the same size as Syracuse. Richmond Community Services Deputy Director Sam Vaughn says his city has seen a 65 to 82 percent reduction in shootings that have led to injury or death since it was implemented in 2010.
“We engage those at the center of most impacted by gun violence, invite them to a relationship, a family, a process, that would help them become their true self,” Vaughn said. “There’s monetary incentives for that but it wasn't to not be violent. It was to obtain and achieve goals that they set for themselves.”
Richmond, California was the first American city to create an Office of Violence Prevention. (Credit: Creative Commons)
He’s encouraged that Syracuse is doing something similar, but says it’s a bit different than what his city did. Richmond’s program asks at-risk youth what their problems are and provides them with the resources to help them, but Vaughn says Syracuse is telling people what they need by narrowing down the resources to just a few.
“I think trying to create a recipe for someone without having them involved in what items they want in the meal is kind of you dictating this is what you need without even acknowledging what's going on with that person,” Vaughn said. “You have to involve them in their success plan. If you're not the creator of your future, then we've made a wrong decision.”
Vaughn says Syracuse also needs to individualize its program and be patient with it, or the city risks losing the trust of the very people they’re trying to help.
The City of Syracuse released crime data that revealed that its per capita murder rate in 2021 was three times worse than the U.S. average. (Credit: Creative Commons)
“If you don't do it right, you can cause more harm than good,” Vaughn said. “If you're not in it for the long haul, because this takes time to be effective. A lot of people try to put a bandaid on something that needs internal surgery.”
Syracuse Common Councilor Pat Hogan criticized the principle of paying known "gang members" in an editorial on Syracuse.com. Syracuse Police Benevolent Association President Joseph Moran says that most officers voiced a similar concern.
U.S. Marshalls making an arrest in Syracuse as part of a 2015 gang reduction initiative.Credit: Creative Commons)
“It's merely the principle,” Moran said. “The conversation is stemming around $100 to $200 weekly payments. I don't care if it was one dollar. It’s the sheer principle of issuing direct payments to documented gang members. In our opinion, that specific component is an improper allocation of taxpayer dollars.”
Moran added that officers were upset they weren’t made aware of it earlier.
“I was surprised that they didn't notify me so that I could essentially notify the membership of this policy from the mayor's Office to Reduce Gun Violence,” Moran said. “We would have really appreciated knowing this in advance prior to finding out in the media.”
This program would begin with 50 people between 18-24 years old. Mayor Ben Walsh is seeking Common Council approval to spend $1 million on the pilot of this program, but it’s yet to be seen if it has enough support to pass. The future of Syracuse’s proposal is unknown.
Natives react to NYSED's Indigenous Culture and Language Studies Certification Proposal
The proposal aims at expanding the number of teachers who could teach these subjects.
Indigenous Students at Syracuse President Tehosterihens Deer details the problems and consequences of Americans' lack of education on native history and culture.
FEBRUARY 15, 2023: Tehosterihens Deer grew up as a member of Mohawk Nation. He spoke the Mohawk language exclusively for years. But, everything changed when Deer attended school outside the reservation as a child. He became more accustomed to English and slowly it became his dominant language.
He’s now a Syracuse University student and the president of Indigenous Students at Syracuse (ISAS). He can still have conversations with fluent speakers in Mohawk and ask his elders questions about certain words. Deer considers himself fortunate as this isn’t the case with every tribe. He said it’s important for Native people to hold on to their way of life after centuries of genocide, forced assimilation and conquest of their lands.
“I think it’s the most vital and crucial thing that we have as Indigenous people,” Deer said. “There’s our culture and our language.”
On Feb. 13, the New York State Education Department brought forth a proposal to create an Indigenous Culture and Language Studies certificate for teachers. This could increase the number of teachers who are authorized to teach Native language and culture. Right now, teachers can get permits to teach these subjects in public schools, but they are temporary and must be renewed frequently. With these proposed certificates, teachers can earn tenure and work in schools permanently.
The State Education Department will continue to consult Indigenous Nations about these proposed regulations. It will attract more teachers with knowledge on Indigenous language and culture to school districts, according to the State Education Department. In January, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, said in its newsletter, it is committed to working together with the state on this plan. Education Department Commissioner Betty A. Rosa explained why the state is moving forward with this proposal.
The Onondaga Nation administration building lies just 5 miles south of Syracuse. (Credit: Creative Commons)
“All voices must be heard, respected, and considered,” Rosa said. “By expanding opportunities for teachers, we are advancing access to educational excellence and equity for all students. Culturally Responsive Sustaining Education, such as learning about Indigenous languages and cultures, affirms cultural identities, develops students’ abilities to connect across lines of difference, and elevates historically marginalized voices.”
Deer said almost all Natives believe it’s a problem that Americans don’t know about Indigenous culture or history. He believes this stems from the fact that American schools “sweep Native history under the rug.” Deer said they usually don’t go beyond the first encounters with Natives and glorify moments like Thanksgiving.
“They learn the tip of the iceberg,” Deer said. “Their excuse is they don't want to tell a bunch of children of the horrors that their country committed. Then by that, they do not talk about it. So I believe a lot of the population of the United States doesn't know much about Indigenous people because of that lack of understanding and communications.”
What's left of the Onondaga Nation's territories are just off I-81 in Central New York. (Credit: Creative Commons)
Deer said this is why many Americans are in shock whenever they meet a Native person, saying people often go straight to asking him if it’s okay to say certain words. He thinks Americans have a mystical and outdated image of Indigenous people.
When he first arrived at Syracuse University in 2019, he dealt with a lot of this misunderstanding. After telling a classmate he was Native, the student was astounded and started smothering him with questions like “Do you live in teepees?”
“I was like, dude are you serious? This is 2019,” Deer said. “You still think we live in teepees? No, we have a house. We have internet. We have TV. We have cable. We’re not primitive.”
Syracuse University flies the Onondaga Nation's flag on the quad. (Photo by Matt Hassan)
He said schools don’t teach the last 400 years of Indigenous culture and history and certainly don’t do so from the Native perspective. This is why Deer supports the proposal from the State Education Department.
“I think it's really important for Indigenous people to have this, because for the first time, people are actually interested in our culture, and for allowing Native people to tell the story rather than non-Natives telling the story,” Deer said.
But, he hopes recent history is taught as well, specifically the last 60 years. From the 1960s to 1990s, he said there was an uprising of Indigenous sovereignty, rights, and activism. Then from the 1990s to present day, Indigenous people and their culture have been more represented in mainstream industries.
One aspect of the proposal he’s unsure of is who will acquire these certificates and what the process will be to get one.
“Would I be open to non-Natives receiving a certificate? There’s a chance,” Deer said. “It's just there's that little hesitancy with how much in the past people have done that and have framed our stories in the way they wanted it to be told, for their own personal gain.”
The Education Department will present its proposal to the Board of Regents for adoption in June. But, it is accepting public comment on the proposal until May 1. Anyone can submit their concerns via email to oheregcomments@nysed.gov.