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Governors

New York State Continues to Lead the Nation in Reducing Gun Violence with Record-Level Investment

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul and her administration have made a significant commitment to reducing gun violence, allocating a record $36 million in funding for the Gun Violence Epidemic Initiative (GIVE), a program aimed at combating gun violence and improving public safety. This funding will support local law enforcement agencies and community organizations in their efforts to target and reduce gun violence, providing them with the necessary resources, training, and tools to sustain progress.

Key Takeaways:

  • The GIVE initiative has been instrumental in reducing gun violence in New York State, with a 20% decrease in shooting-related incidents with injury and a 15% decrease in shooting deaths.
  • The program requires agencies to use evidence-based strategies to reduce shootings, save lives, and combat violent crime.
  • The funding will support the critical work being done on the ground, providing local agencies with the tools, training, and resources they need to keep their communities safe.
  • The New York State Police is proud to support its partners in this effort, with Commissioner Steven G. James stating that the GIVE initiative continues to produce results that matter.
  • The state has allocated a record $347 million for GIVE and other gun violence prevention programs in the FY26 Enacted Budget.
  • The funding will support law enforcement agencies across the state, including those in Suffolk County, where a double-digit decline in shooting-related incidents has been reported.
  • Community-based solutions like the GIVE initiative are critical to maintaining statewide progress in reducing shooting incidents, according to State Senator Siela Bynoe.
  • The program has produced real, measurable results, with Assemblymember Tommy John Schiavoni stating that it is saving lives and making communities safer.

Statistics:

  • $36 million: The record-level funding allocated for the GIVE initiative.
  • 20%: The decrease in shooting-related incidents with injury in Suffolk County.
  • 15%: The decrease in shooting deaths in Suffolk County.
  • 28: The number of police departments participating in the GIVE initiative.
  • 21: The number of counties outside of New York City that are receiving GIVE funding.
  • $347 million: The total allocation for GIVE and other gun violence prevention programs in the FY26 Enacted Budget.

Sources:

  • "GIVE Grant Funding" (embed link to website or source)
  • "A decade of progress: Gun violence in Suffolk" (embed link to source)
  • FY26 Enacted Budget (embed link to source)

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