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Governor Hochul Announces $3.6 Million for Central New York Law Enforcement to Reduce Gun Violence

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the allocation of over $3.6 million to support law enforcement agencies in Central New York in their efforts to reduce shootings and save lives. This funding builds on the state's multifaceted plan to combat gun violence, which has shown significant progress in reducing shooting incidents, gun violence-related deaths, and index crimes. The state's Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative, which involves 28 police departments, reported a decline in shooting incidents, individuals shot, and gun violence-related deaths in the first half of 2025.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Syracuse Police Department reported a 29 percent reduction in index crimes (1,136 vs. 1,597) in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
  • The Auburn Police Department reported no individuals harmed or killed by gun violence during the first six months of both 2024 and 2025.
  • The GIVE initiative has reported significant reductions in shooting incidents, individuals shot, and gun violence-related deaths in the first half of 2025.
  • Collectively, communities participating in GIVE saw reductions in all seven index crime categories during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year.
  • The state's comprehensive plan to combat gun violence has led to a 42 percent reduction in shooting incidents and 42 percent reduction in shooting victims reported by the Syracuse Police Department compared to the five-year (2020-2024) average.
  • Communities participating in GIVE also saw reductions in all seven index crime categories (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft) during the first quarter of 2025 when compared to the same period last year.
  • Preliminary data reported to DCJS showed a 18 percent reduction in total index crimes, 19 percent decrease in violent crime, and 18 percent decline in property crimes during the first quarter of 2025 when compared to the same period last year.

Statistics:

  • Between January 1 and June 30, 2025, GIVE police departments reported 242 shooting incidents with injury, down from 281 during the same period in 2024.
  • The number of people shot declined from 354 to 275, and there were 9 fewer gun violence-related deaths (49 vs. 58).
  • During Governor Hochul's time in office, 762 fewer individuals have been injured by gun violence, and 104 fewer people have been killed in GIVE communities.
  • The following agencies in Central New York will receive a total of more than $3.6 million in funding:

+ Cayuga County - $372,034

+ Auburn Police Department - $182,517

+ Cayuga County District Attorney's Office - $82,197

+ Cayuga County Probation Department - $80,320

+ Cayuga County Sheriff's Office - $27,000

+ Onondaga County - $3,252,435

+ Onondaga County District Attorney - $1,101,720

+ Onondaga County Probation Department - $370,211

+ Onondaga County Sheriff's Office - $450,000

+ Syracuse City Police Department - $1,330,504

Sources:

  • News release from the Office of Governor Kathy Hochul
  • Albany: New York Office of the Governor Kathy Hochul's official website
  • New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services' website
  • Statistics page of the DCJS website
  • FY26 Enacted Budget

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