$36M continues state's efforts to reduce gun violence

ALBANY | Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced that nearly $36 million has been awarded to local law enforcement agencies in 21 counties to continue the state's progress in reducing gun violence. This funding is part of New York State's Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative — and a county-by-county breakdown of the new funding awards can be found by visiting www.governor.ny.gov. The Governor also highlighted that shootings declined 19 percent through August 2026 compared to the same time last year in communities participating in the GIVE initiative. Shooting victims are now at the lowest level on record since New York State began tracking this data two decades ago. This is the fourth consecutive year that Gov. Hochul has secured record-level funding for the GIVE initiative, which has contributed to a 67 percent decrease in shooting incidents involving injury since she took office in 2021. In the last five years, Gov. Hochul has invested nearly $4 billion in public safety — more than $1 billion of which has gone to supporting New York's gun violence prevention, intervention and enforcement. "Keeping New Yorkers safe is my top priority — and with record investments and strong partnership with law enforcement, we'll keep driving down gun violence to record lows," Gov. Hochul said. "I remain committed to working with law enforcement and all stakeholders to ensure safer streets and communities for families throughout every corner of our state." NEARLY $36 MILLION IN NEW FUNDINGS New York State's GIVE initiative supports 28 police agencies — as well as district attorneys' offices, probation departments and sheriffs' offices — in 21 counties outside of New York City. The initiative funds personnel, overtime, equipment and technical assistance, and requires participating agencies to have a comprehensive plan with evidence-based strategies to reduce shootings and firearm-related violent crime. GIVE is administered by the state Division of Criminal Justice Services. The GIVE funding now totals $35,987,983 and a breakdown of funding by county and participating law enforcement partners is available online. Funding by region: Western New York: $9,014,185 Finger Lakes: $6,579,486 North Country: $448,027 Central New York: $3,598,127 Southern Tier: $1,667,774 Mohawk Valley: $1,539,256 Capital Region: $5,102,896 Mid-Hudson: $5,419,607 Long Island: $2,618,625 The following police departments participate in GIVE: Albany, Amherst, Auburn, Binghamton, Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Elmira, Greece, Hempstead, Ithaca, Jamestown, Kingston, Lackawanna, Middletown, Mount Vernon, Nassau County, Newburgh (city), Niagara Falls, Poughkeepsie, Rochester (city), Schenectady, Spring Valley, Suffolk County, Syracuse, Troy, Utica, Watertown and Yonkers. New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado said, "Throughout New York State, we have heard countless stories about the positive impact that the Gun Involved Violence Elimination, or GIVE, initiative has had in driving down violent crime. GIVE provides local law enforcement with critical funding, training, and support to put proven strategies into action. The continued record-low number of shooting incidents and victims shows what is possible when agencies work together and have the resources they need. Gov. Hochul's continued commitment to this initiative is truly saving lives and transforming communities." 19 PERCENT DECLINE IN SHOOTINGS THROUGH AUGUST When comparing January through August 2026 to the same time last year, shooting incidents involving injury in GIVE communities declined 19 percent. Thirteen participating police departments — including Mount Vernon, Newburgh, Schenectady, Utica and Watertown — reported no firearm-related deaths during the first eight months of this year. Several police departments across the state experienced double-digit reductions in shooting incidents with injury and shooting victims during the first eight months of 2026 compared to 2025: The City of Albany saw a 25 percent decrease in shooting victims The City of Rochester saw a 25 percent decrease in shootings The City of Syracuse saw a 25 percent decrease in shootings Suffolk County saw a 24 percent decrease in shootings The City of Yonkers saw a 21 percent decrease in shooting victims Detailed data are available on the DCJS Gun Violence Dashboard. SHOOTINGS DOWN 67 PERCENT SINCE GOVERNOR TOOK OFFICE IN 2021 A number of GIVE agencies throughout New York also experienced significant, double-digit drops in both shooting incidents with injury and shooting victims in the last five years: The City of Albany saw a 56 percent decrease in shootings and a 68 percent decrease in shooting victims The City of Buffalo saw a 66 percent decrease in shootings and shooting victims The City of Niagara Falls saw a 59 percent decrease in shootings and a 57 percent decrease in shooting victims The City of Rochester saw a 67 percent decrease in shootings and a 64 percent decrease in shooting victims Suffolk County saw a 64 percent decrease in shootings and a 66 percent decrease in shooting victims The City of Syracuse saw a 63 percent decrease in shootings and shooting victims Gun violence in New York City also decreased significantly compared to 2021: a 58 percent reduction in both shooting incidents with injury and shooting victims, and a 59 percent decline in individuals killed by gun violence.

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$36M continues state's efforts to reduce gun violence

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