$18.2 million investment in gun violence elimination initiative in New York

Syracuse, New York – New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Friday, that $18.2 million in funding will support law enforcement agencies that participate in the state’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative.

Since it was created in 2014, this is the largest state investment in the program.

GIVE uses evidence-based strategies to reduce shootings and save lives in 20 communities in 17 counties that are hardest hit by gun violence.

The governor also designated June as Gun Violence Awareness Month in New York.

“Over the past few weeks, we have seen gun violence cause unimaginable pain, suffering, and loss for individuals, neighborhoods, and our entire nation,” said Gov. Hochul. “In honor of Gun Violence Awareness Month, we must double down on our commitment to stop the senseless and tragic killing of our friends, loved ones, and neighbors. That is why I am proud to have worked closely with the Legislature, which passed historic and comprehensive legislation yesterday to create even tougher gun laws and end the gun violence epidemic — bills that I look forward to signing in the coming days. While we have made progress, I will continue to work with lawmakers to act decisively and invest in programs like GIVE that will make our communities safer for everyone.”

Gun Involved Violence Elimination initiative is administered by the state Division of Criminal Justice Services and supports 20 police departments in 17 counties which account for over 80% of the violent crime that occurs in the state, outside of New York City. The counties supported by GIVE include Albany, Erie, Monroe, Oneida, Onondaga, Rensselaer, and Schenectady.