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Governor Hochul Highlights $19 Million in State Investments for Modernizing Law Enforcement Technology and Equipment in Western New York

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Governor Kathy Hochul visited the Town of Tonawanda Police Department to highlight state investments in modernizing law enforcement technology and equipment across Western New York's police agencies. As part of the visit, Hochul toured and demonstrated the department's state-of-the-art technology, including a new 3D scanner, virtual reality training system, and new communications equipment. These $127 million investments are distributed to 378 police departments and sheriffs' offices statewide, delivering results by improving officer safety, protecting New Yorkers, and strengthening operations.

Key Takeaways:

  • The $127 million in state investments in law enforcement technology and equipment has been distributed to 378 police departments and sheriffs' offices statewide.
  • The investments have resulted in a 14% decrease in index crime in Erie County and a 22% decrease in shootings in the City of Buffalo.
  • The Tonawanda Police Department received more than $700,000, allowing the agency to purchase state-of-the-art headsets for the SWAT team, upgraded technology for patrol vehicles, and a drone and new body cameras.
  • The department also received a 3D scanner to document and reconstruct accident scenes and crime scenes, and a crash data recorder.
  • The Governor highlighted the latest crime statistics reported by the Tonawanda Police Department and law enforcement agencies in Erie County, showing a 11% decrease in index crime and a 36% decrease in violent crime.
  • The Buffalo Police Department, which participates in New York's Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative, has seen a 22% decrease in shooting incidents with injury and a 31% decrease in the number of shooting victims.
  • The state's law enforcement technology grants have also helped to reduce crime in the region, despite a 40% cut in funding for counter terrorism grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the Western New York region.

Statistics:

  • $127 million in state investments in law enforcement technology and equipment.
  • 378 police departments and sheriffs' offices statewide receiving the investments.
  • 14% decrease in index crime in Erie County.
  • 22% decrease in shootings in the City of Buffalo.
  • $700,000 received by the Tonawanda Police Department for technology and equipment upgrades.
  • 11% decrease in index crime in Tonawanda.
  • 36% decrease in violent crime in Tonawanda.
  • 46% decrease in motor vehicle theft in Tonawanda.
  • 13% decrease in index crime in Erie County.
  • 23% decrease in murders in Erie County.
  • 14% decrease in property crime in Erie County.
  • 40% cut in funding for counter terrorism grants from FEMA for the Western New York region.

Sources:

  • Office of the Governor Kathy Hochul
  • New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services
  • Tonawanda Police Department
  • Erie County Sheriff's Office
  • Buffalo Police Department
  • New York State Assemblymember Bill Conrad
  • New York State Senator Sean Ryan
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

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