Governor Hochul Highlights $19 Million Investment in Law Enforcement Technology Across Western New York Police Agencies

Strategic Insights -

Governor Kathy Hochul recently visited the Town of Tonawanda Police Department to highlight a significant investment in law enforcement technology, totaling over $19 million, aimed at modernizing police agencies across Western New York. This investment, distributed to 378 police departments and sheriffs' offices statewide, is part of a broader $127 million effort to enhance officer safety, protect New Yorkers, and strengthen public safety operations. The initiative has already shown positive results, with index crime in Erie County down 14% and shootings in the City of Buffalo down 22% compared to the same period last year.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over $19 million has been invested in law enforcement technology across Western New York, with the goal of modernizing police agencies and enhancing officer safety.
  • The investment is part of a broader $127 million effort to improve officer safety, protect New Yorkers, and strengthen public safety operations.
  • The funding has been distributed to 378 police departments and sheriffs' offices statewide, with 45 agencies in Western New York receiving significant awards.
  • The Tonawanda Police Department received over $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.
  • Grant funding was also used to obtain four Axon virtual reality bundles and a 3D scanner to document and reconstruct accident scenes and crime scenes.
  • Index crime in Erie County is down 14% compared to the same time period last year, with violent crime down 36% and property crime down 9%.
  • Murders dropped 23% and property crime is down 14% in Erie County, while shooting incidents with injury were down 22% and the number of shooting victims was down 31% in Buffalo.

Statistics:

  • Over $17.7 million has been invested in law enforcement technology in Western New York.
  • The $127 million investment in law enforcement technology has resulted in significant declines in crime statewide, including a 14% decrease in index crime in Erie County.
  • Shooting incidents with injury are down 22% and the number of shooting victims is down 31% in Buffalo.
  • The Tonawanda Police Department has seen a decrease in crime across the board, with index crime down 11%, violent crime down 36%, property crime down 9%, and motor vehicle theft down 46% compared to the same time period last year.

Sources:

  • Albany, New York, Sept. 22 -- Gov. Kathy Hochul, D-New York.
  • New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services.
  • Tonawanda Police Department.
  • Erie County crime statistics.
  • Buffalo Police Department.
  • Governor's Press Office.
  • Original text here: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/safer-streets-governor-hochul-highlights-19-million-investment-law-enforcement-technology