New York State Attorney General Letitia James took to the streets of Newburgh last Thursday afternoon in her search for answers on how to combat gun violence in the community and rebound from COVID-19 .

James, who visited Poughkeepsie in the morning, met with Newburgh Community leaders Thursday afternoon in front of the Newburgh Free Library, including Mayor Torrance Harvey, State Senator James Skoufis, Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson and Superintendent of Schools Roberto Padilla.

“The City is thrilled to have her support in the continuing efforts to fight crime and gun violence in Newburgh,” Mayor Torrance Harvey said.

James led the leaders in a walk along Grand Street to Broadway. She also visited the Cathedral At the House at 131 Broadway, where her office was conducting a gun buyback event.

Under the “no questions asked” amnesty program, the state offered compensation to those turning in weapons. An assault rifle could catch an iPad and $250, a handgun could bring in an iPad and $150.

The gun buybacks are just one effort to reduce gun violence in cities throughout New York State.

“It’s not just doing gun buybacks,” she said. “It is going after gun distributors, gun manufacturers, and the gun stores who sell guns illegally to individuals. So, we are focused on that. We have a number of investigations.”

James has held 10 gun buybacks across the state, including another on Saturday in Syracuse, and has also secured dozens of dangerous firearms through takedowns of violent groups terrorizing New York. To date, the Attorney General’s office reports having removed nearly 2,000 guns out of communities since James took office in 2019.