Published by: Our Time Press & New York Post
Date: October 2022
Scope: Crown Heights, Weeksville, Prospect Heights

One of Brian Saunders’ earliest public gatherings as President of the 77th Precinct Community Council was a remembrance for Shayma Roman, a 17-year-old girl tragically killed in Crown Heights. Community leaders, family, and neighbors gathered with “hurt hearts” along Eastern Parkway to honor her life and to call for peace across Brooklyn.
Our Time Press

The vigil served as more than a memorial — it was a cry for unity. Saunders and other voices urged the community to embrace one another and work to end the cycle of violence stealing young lives. In the face of grief, the gathering reflected both pain and resolve: that no family should ever stand alone in their loss.
Our Time Press

Weeks later, police arrested a suspect in the shooting. The 18-year-old accused gunman was charged with murder in the fatal shooting of Shayma Roman, bringing some accountability in the midst of heartbreak.
New York Post

For Saunders, it was one of the first moments to stand as a bridge between mourning families, local residents, and city officials. His leadership during that vigil underscored his mission: to bring healing, justice, and peace to Crown Heights and beyond.

Written By Brian Saunders
9/15/2025

Published by: CBS New York
Date: September 1, 2025
Scope: Crown Heights, Weeksville

After a day of celebration at the West Indian Day Parade in Brooklyn on Labor Day 2025, violence marred the festivities. At least five people — including a 14-year-old — were shot, and two others slashed, along Eastern Parkway between 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., despite a large police presence and security checkpoints.

For Brian Saunders, the incident underscores that even with heightened preparations—screenings, dozens of checkpoints, vigilant policing—these events can still turn unsafe. He calls for stronger preventive work: early community engagement, better communication about threats, and more resources for protecting attendees.

For Saunders, ensuring safety during cultural celebrations is essential—not just by enforcement, but by building community trust and readiness.

Written By Brian Saunders
9/15/2025

Published by: Mayor’s Office, NYC Government
Date: August, 2025
Scope: All NYC, with focus on Crown Heights / 77th Precinct

Following a mass shooting incident, Mayor Eric Adams held a media briefing to address the rise in gun violence and announce steps the city is taking. While the full transcript details didn’t always mention every neighborhood, the 77th Precinct and Crown Heights are part of overall strategies surrounding policing, community outreach, and violence prevention.

Brian Saunders supports many of the measures announced — from increased patrols, city services, and community engagement — but emphasizes that policies must be localized. He urges officials to partner with precinct councils, houses of worship, youth programs, and cultural institutions to tailor actions to the distinct needs of Crown Heights, Weeksville, and Prospect Heights.

For Saunders, announcements are only part of the solution; sustained follow-through and local voice matter most.

Written By Brian Saunders
9/15/2025

Published by: PoliticsNY
Date: February 12, 2025
Scope: Crown Heights North, Prospect Heights, Weeksville

In February 2025, Brian Saunders used his platform to advocate for one of the community’s most vulnerable groups — senior citizens. In an op-ed for PoliticsNY, he argued that New York’s seniors deserve full access to the Medicare Advantage program, which provides critical services like transportation to medical appointments, prescription drug coverage, vision, dental, and hearing care.

He highlighted that these benefits not only improve seniors’ quality of life, but also ease the burden on family caregivers and community resources. Saunders called on lawmakers to safeguard Medicare Advantage and ensure that seniors in neighborhoods like Crown Heights, Prospect Heights, and Weeksville continue to receive comprehensive healthcare support.

For Saunders, advocating for seniors is part of a broader commitment to equity, dignity, and support for all generations. His leadership reminds the community that protecting the most vulnerable strengthens the whole neighborhood.

Written By Brian Saunders
9/15/2025

Published by: NY1 (Inside City Hall)
Date: September 3, 2024
Scope: Crown Heights, Weeksville

In September 2024, tragedy struck the West Indian Day Parade in Crown Heights. A 25-year-old man visiting from Texas was shot and killed, and four others were wounded along the parade route. In the days leading up to J’Ouvert, the NYPD had already seized 25 guns from the streets.

Brian Saunders, President of the 77th Precinct Community Council, appeared on Inside City Hall to speak on behalf of the community. He called for stronger preventative measures, greater investment in safety planning, and closer cooperation between residents and law enforcement to ensure that cultural celebrations remain both vibrant and secure.

For Saunders, violence at events like the West Indian Day Parade is not just a policing issue — it is a community challenge. His leadership continues to emphasize that joy, culture, and tradition can only thrive when residents feel safe.

Written By Brian Saunders
9/15/2025

Published by: NY1 (Inside City Hall)
Date: March 15, 2024
Scope: Crown Heights North, Prospect Heights

When a wave of deadly shootings struck Crown Heights in early 2024 — including the tragic loss of a 13-year-old boy — Brian Saunders, President of the 77th Precinct community council, stood with other leaders to demand urgent action. Appearing on Inside City Hall with Rev. Taharka Robinson, founder of the Brooklyn Anti-Violence Coalition, Saunders called for stronger collaboration between neighborhood groups, city officials, and law enforcement to reduce the rising tide of gun violence.

By mid-March, Crown Heights had already recorded six fatal shootings, the most of any New York City neighborhood at the time. The 77th Precinct alone had seen three of those shootings, with its murder rate tripling compared to the same period the previous year. Saunders highlighted the urgency of prevention, community outreach, and youth engagement programs as part of a comprehensive solution.

For Saunders, leadership during moments of crisis is not optional — it is essential. His call to action underscored that building safer communities requires both accountability and unity.

Written By Brian Saunders
9/15/2025

Published by: PoliticsNY
Date: September 17, 2018
Scope: Crown Heights North

One of the most personal battles for Brian Saunders is preserving homeownership in his community — especially for seniors and longtime residents. A striking example is his mother, Marlene Saunders, who was nearly stripped of her fully-paid brownstone at 1217 Dean Street when the city mis-applied property tax payments and allowed a water bill dispute to initiate a transfer under the Third-Party Transfer program.

Although the building had been in the Saunders family for decades, with no violations or mortgage debts, lack of proper notice and bureaucratic mistakes could’ve cost them their home. Thankfully, with intervention from local representatives and community pressure, the decision was reversed, and the family retained ownership.

For Brian Saunders, this incident isn’t just about one property — it underscores how vulnerable residents can be to administrative errors, confusing legal mechanisms, or lack of transparency. His advocacy shows that protecting community members’ rights to their homes is a key part of his vision for equity and justice in Crown Heights.

Written By Brian Saunders

9/15/2025