Another Trenton, NJ Firehouse Shot Up By Neighborhood Gun Violence
The last firehouse to be shot was only a month ago, when one firefighter working out on an elliptical trainer in the firehouse gym was struck by gunfire inside the station.
May 26, 2022
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–A month to the day another Trenton Firehouse has been shot up again by neighborhood gun violence.
Trenton Police Department, Detective Lieutenant Bethesda Stokes stated that at 4:26 p.m. police responded to 1519 West State Street for a Shot Spotter activation of eight rounds. Police discovered that Trenton Fire Department Engine 9’s quarters had been struck. No one was injured.
It was exactly a month ago on April 26, 2022 that a city firefighter narrowly escaped serious injury when he was grazed by a stray bullet while he was on duty working out at the firehouse of Engine 1 and Ladder 1 on Calhoun Street.
Above photos by: Brian McCarthy OnScene News
MidJersey.news has reached out to the Trenton Firefighters Union FMBA Local 6 and 206 for comment.
Statement from FMBA Local 6 President Andres Perez:
Firefighters in the city already have a dangerous job, running into burning buildings and going to EMS calls where violent crimes have been committed. And that is just a small bit of our duties as firefighters in the capital city. While we go to these calls knowing there is danger we take calculated risks to do what’s best for city residents. These risk don’t usually consist of doing our duties at a watch desk and having gunfire erupt and actually hit the buildings and in within the past month actually hit a firefighter. The administration both Fire and the city is usually reactive, however in these cases we have yet to see anything from our administration. This has been all to familiar in recent years with the uptick of crime and gunplay within the city. Both police and fire seem to not have the resources nor the funding to do their jobs efficiently and safely. Even with the previous shooting at Calhoun we have yet to do any proactive measures to help protect Firefighters while within the walls of their respective stations. —FMBA Local 6 President Andres Perez
Union Spokes Person for both locals, Kevin Soto who happened to be hit by gunfire working out at the Calhoun Street firehouse during the shooting last month stated:
“What we need is bullet proof windows and some kind of safety for all of us, what are they waiting for? For one of us to be dead? This has got to stop man! Now I can’t go to work without having to worry about if I’m going to make it home to my family just sitting around in the firehouse. We all put our lives on the line every single day to save another life. When we are called upon to perform our duty but we don’t go to work to sit like ducks waiting to get shot. I signed up for this job to save another life and knowing mines can be at risk in the process of doing that duty and I’m ok with that. What I am not ok with is sitting at a firehouse table talking to all my brothers and sisters waiting for the tones to drop and end up getting shot. This needs to stop! Our safety needs to be put first and they need to put up bullet proof windows, etc. around all firehouses and police departments if they care so much about us. Show us and stop giving us a political show and start making moves actions speak louder than words!“ — Kevin Soto FMBA Locals 6 and 206 Spokesperson and shooting victim from Calhoun Street Firehouse
The photos above show a bullet hole that came though the window near the “watch desk” The watch desk is where firefighters sit and monitor the radio desk for calls to respond to.
Another Trenton, NJ Firehouse Shot Up By Neighborhood Gun Violence
The last firehouse to be shot was only a month ago, when one firefighter working out on an elliptical trainer in the firehouse gym was struck by gunfire inside the station. May 26, 2022 TRENTON, NJ…
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