Continued, Record-Level State Investment has Contributed to a 52 Percent Reduction in Gun Violence in GIVE Communities Since Governor Hochul Took Office
State Funding Through the Gun Involved Violence Elimination Initiative Covers Equipment, Overtime, Personnel Costs, Enhanced Training and Technical Assistance
Governor Kathy Hochul today, joined by local law enforcement and elected officials including County Executive Ed Romaine, visited the Suffolk County Police Academy to announce that $36 million has been awarded to local law enforcement agencies across the state to bolster efforts to reduce gun violence. A nationally recognized program, the Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative provides law enforcement agencies in 28 communities outside of New York City with state funding for equipment, overtime, and personnel, as well as comprehensive, focused training and technical assistance. As a result, between 2021 and 2024, shootings in GIVE jurisdictions dropped 52 percent. Last year, shooting incidents with injury reached the lowest point since the state began tracking data in 2006. In 2024, Long Island had the lowest number of shootings in recent recorded history.
“Public safety is my top priority, and since taking office, my administration has been laser focused on working with local law enforcement to drive down gun violence across New York,” Governor Hochul said. “The GIVE initiative is a crucial part of our comprehensive plan to reduce firearm-related violent crime — and it’s working. That’s why we are doubling down and reinvesting $36 million to ensure that law enforcement agencies across the state have the tools they need to stop shootings and proactively prevent gun violence.”
The State’s multifaceted plan to continue supporting local law enforcement and community partners on the front lines of fighting gun violence have helped local law enforcement reduce shooting incidents significantly. 28 GIVE police departments – across 21 counties – typically report the highest volume of violent crime outside the five boroughs. Thanks to Governor Hochul’s continued investment in the GIVE initiative, between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2025, GIVE police departments reported 242 shooting incidents with injury, down from 281 during the same period in 2024. The number of people shot declined from 354 to 275, and there were nine fewer gun violence-related deaths (49 vs. 58).
This marks the third consecutive year in which Governor Hochul has secured record-level funding for GIVE: $36.38 million, with $36 million awarded and the remainder reserved for emerging needs identified by participating agencies. Nine agencies on Long Island will receive nearly $2.7 million in funding:
Nassau County – $1,345,223
- Nassau County Police Department – $486,223
- Nassau County Probation Department – $324,000
- Hempstead Village Police Department – $270,000
- Nassau County District Attorney – $225,000
- Nassau County Sheriff's Office – $40,000
Suffolk County – $1,333,943
- Suffolk County District Attorney – $564,291
- Suffolk County Police Department – $459,998
- Suffolk County Probation Department – $176,256
- Suffolk County Sheriff's Office – $133,398
Collectively, communities participating in GIVE also saw reductions in all seven index crime categories – four violent (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and three property (burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft) – during the first quarter of 2025 when compared to the same period last year. Preliminary data reported to DCJS showed an 18 percent reduction in total index crimes, a 19 percent decrease in violent crime, and an 18 percent decline in property crimes. Long Island saw similar preliminary trends, with the Nassau County and Suffolk County police departments reporting double-digit decreases in total index crime, violent crime, and property crime reported, and the Hempstead Police reporting double-digit reductions in total index crime and violent crime, and an eight percent decline in property crime.
Data released by the New York City Police Department earlier this week also show positive trends, with a 23 percent reduction in shooting victims, a 22 percent decrease in shooting incidents, and five percent decline in crime complaints through July 20, 2025, compared to the same period last year.
GIVE data for each of the 28 police departments and an interactive dashboard featuring current year and annual historical data are available on the Statistics page of the state Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) website.
View the breakdown of funding awarded to GIVE police departments, and district attorneys’ offices, probation departments, and sheriffs’ offices in 21 counties outside of New York City for the contract period July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026: Albany, Broome, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Dutchess, Erie, Jefferson, Monroe, Nassau, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Orange, Rensselaer, Rockland, Schenectady, Suffolk, Tompkins, Ulster, and Westchester. DCJS administers GIVE grants and provides training and technical assistance to partner agencies through the program, which requires agencies to use evidence-based strategies to reduce shootings, save lives and combat violent crime.
The FY26 Enacted Budget sustained unprecedented funding secured by Governor Hochul, including $347 million for GIVE and other gun violence prevention programs, as well as additional initiatives to improve public safety, expand support for victims and survivors of crime, and strengthen communities.
The Division of Criminal Justice Services provides critical support to all facets of the state’s criminal justice system, including, but not limited to: training law enforcement and other criminal justice professionals; overseeing a law enforcement accreditation program; ensuring Breathalyzer and speed enforcement equipment used by local law enforcement operate correctly; managing criminal justice grant funding; analyzing statewide crime and program data; providing research support; overseeing county probation departments and alternatives to incarceration programs; and coordinating youth justice policy. Follow DCJS on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).
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