Syracuse (WSYR-TV) --
Seven people were hurt and three more were arrested after a brawl on Syracuse’s Northside earlier this week. A lot of people saw it happen and many of them were children.
In just the past week, Syracuse Police have handled roughly 10,000 calls including murder, arson and drugs.
The violence can be discerning to adults, but even worse for a child.
“I saw the car ran straight over one lady, all across her neck, across her legs and everything,” said 13-year-old Zack, who fears neighborhood violence. "It almost hit me. If it wasn't for my mom saying like, ‘Zach move!’ I wouldn't be alive talking right now.”
The terrifying scene was not in young Zach’s imagination – it was in his front yard.
Zach stood beside dozens of other children, witnessing one of many crimes in Syracuse neighborhoods this week.
“They were hitting the side of Josh’s truck with a two-by-four, chains and poles,” said Laura Cullen.
From a violent dinnertime brawl to a home intentionally burned to the ground, or the teenager on his bike killed in a drive-by shooting, Rich Puchalski with Syracuse United Neighbors says after 35 years as a neighborhood advocate, he's more worried about the future than ever before.
"Crime is becoming more prevalent, more bold, more daytime, you know, some people just feel they get caught up in a crossfire,” Puchalski said.
Behind the caution tape, Rich believes impressionable young eyes are the overlooked victims of escalating inner-city violence.
"Where does this end, and this culture of crime that is becoming more prevalent, what is to happen with these children down the road?” Puchalski continued.
What scares Zach the most is the loss of faith that there will be help for neighborhoods like his.
"It happened last night, it has happened in the past, and I'm just scared that it is going to happen again,” Zach said.
Catherine Street residents have complained about fights, retaliations or injuries nearly everyday this week. Puchalski says the solution requires elected officials, police and neighbors to fight back.
If you’d like to reach out to Puchalski, the number for Syracuse United Neighbors is 476-7475.
