Aug 21

Decline in Shootings Across New York, Nearly $350 Million Invested to Reduce Gun Violence

There has been a 29% decrease in shooting incidents with injuries across New York State through July 2024, compared to the same period last year, Governor Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday, August 20. According to Hochul, shootings are down 35% in Rochester.

Hochul says the decline, reported by police departments participating in the state’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative, reflects substantial reductions in gun violence in the 28 communities served by the program.

“Keeping New Yorkers safe is my top priority,” said Governor Hochul. “Our comprehensive efforts to bring down gun violence are working, and I’ll never stop fighting to ensure safe communities across our state.”

From January 1 to July 31, 2024, there were 351 shooting incidents with injuries, down from 497 during the same timeframe in 2023. The GIVE initiative, which supports 28 police departments in 21 counties, focuses on areas with the majority of the state's population outside New York City.

Key cities reporting significant declines in shootings include:

Rochester: 35% decline
Syracuse: 32% decline
Yonkers: 57% decline
Nassau County: 56% decline
Suffolk County: 50% decline

Additionally, there was a 21% reduction in gun violence fatalities in GIVE communities, with 70 individuals killed from January 1 through July 31, 2024, compared to 89 in the same period last year.

The New York City Police Department also reported an 11% decline in shootings, with 530 incidents through July 2024, down from 595 in 2023.

Governor Hochul's FY25 Enacted Budget secured $347 million to fund a comprehensive plan to address gun violence, reduce crime, and enhance public safety. Key investments include:

$36 million for the GIVE initiative: This funding supports evidence-based strategies to reduce gun violence, such as Problem-Oriented Policing, Hot-Spots Policing, and Street Outreach.
$21 million for the SNUG Street Outreach program: This initiative uses a public health approach to address gun violence, employing nearly 200 outreach workers, social workers, and case managers in 14 communities.
$18 million for Crime Analysis Centers: These centers, unique to New York, analyze and distribute information to local law enforcement agencies, aiding in crime prevention and resolution.
Up to $20 million for Project RISE: This program funds community-led responses to gun violence, supporting academic, employment, mentoring, and violence prevention services.