Record-Level Funding for Gun Violence Reduction Initiative Yields Significant Progress in New York

Strategic Insights -

New York has seen significant reductions in gun violence, with the number of individuals killed by firearm decreasing by 104 since Governor Kathy Hochul took office. The state's Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative, which has received a record-level $36.38 million in funding, has contributed to a 52 percent reduction in gun violence in GIVE communities. The initiative has supported law enforcement agencies in reducing shooting incidents, with 242 shooting incidents with injury reported between January 1 and June 30, 2025, down from 281 during the same period in 2024.

Key Takeaways:

  • The GIVE initiative has resulted in a 52 percent reduction in gun violence in participating communities since Governor Hochul took office.
  • The number of individuals killed by firearm has decreased by 104 since Governor Hochul took office, with five deaths reported in Syracuse during the first half of 2025 compared to seven in the same period in 2024.
  • The Syracuse Police Department has seen a 42 percent reduction in long-term shooting incidents with injury and shooting victims reported, compared to the five-year (2020-2024) average.
  • 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 police departments in Central New York reported a drop in index crimes during the first quarter of 2025 vs. 2024, with Syracuse reporting a 29 percent decrease and Auburn reporting a 28 percent decline.
  • The state's multifaceted plan to support local law enforcement and community partners has helped reduce shooting incidents significantly, with a 18 percent reduction in total index crimes, a 19 percent decrease in violent crime, and an 18 percent decline in property crimes reported in GIVE communities.

Statistics:

  • 762 fewer individuals have been injured by gun violence since Governor Hochul took office.
  • 104 fewer people have been killed in GIVE communities since Governor Hochul took office.
  • 242 shooting incidents with injury were reported between January 1 and June 30, 2025, down from 281 during the same period in 2024.
  • 275 people were shot in 2025, down from 354 in 2024.
  • 49 people died from gun violence in GIVE communities in 2025, compared to 58 in 2024.
  • 42 percent reduction in long-term shooting incidents with injury and shooting victims reported by the Syracuse Police Department compared to the five-year (2020-2024) average.
  • 18 percent reduction in total index crimes reported in GIVE communities during the first quarter of 2025 vs. 2024.
  • 19 percent decrease in violent crime reported in GIVE communities during the first quarter of 2025 vs. 2024.
  • 18 percent decline in property crimes reported in GIVE communities during the first quarter of 2025 vs. 2024.

Sources:

  • Office of the Governor of New York
  • New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services
  • Syracuse Police Department
  • Auburn Police Department
  • Onondaga County District Attorney's Office
  • Cayuga County Probation Department
  • City of Syracuse Mayor's Office