Hochul announces nearly $36M in funding to reduce gun violence in New York – Spectrum News

Hochul announces nearly $36M in funding to reduce gun violence in New York  Spectrum News

The announcement comes as Gov. Hochul's office highlights a 19% decline in shootings statewide throughout August compared to this same time last year. Gov. Kathy Hochul is announcing nearly $36 million in record-level funding to reduce gun violence in the state of New York. The money is going to nearly two dozen counties outside of New York City. The announcement comes as her office highlights a 19% decline in shootings statewide throughout August compared to this same time last year. The funding is part of the Gun Involved Violence Elimination, or GIVE, initiative, which supports 28 police agencies, as well as sheriffs’ offices, probation departments and district attorneys’ offices. G.I.V.E. is administered by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services.

Executive Deputy Commissioner Joseph Popcun says it’s been operating for “about 13 years.” “G.I.V.E. works now in 21 counties where we have most of our violent crime involving firearms,” said Popcun. “So, it’s roughly 90% of the violent crime by firearm outside of the city.” G.I.V.E. funds personnel, overtime, equipment and technical assistance. This is a breakdown from the governor’s office of the funding with Western New York and the Finger Lakes region seeing the highest amounts: G.I.V.E. requires participating agencies to have a comprehensive plan supported by evidence-based strategies to reduce shootings and firearm-related crime. “Those strategies