Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado said, “Gun violence impacts more than just the individuals on either side of the gun. Families, friends and communities also live with the trauma caused by long-term exposure to violence. At DCJS, we are focused on preventing gun violence before it happens and providing funding and technical assistance to law enforcement and community organizations to address violence when and where it occurs. With unwavering support from Governor Hochul, our local partners are effecting change and saving lives.”
New York State Police Acting Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli said, “We commend Governor Hochul for her continued support. Like our law enforcement partners here in Buffalo, we share their urgency in developing solutions to reduce gun violence and disrupt the flow of illegal guns into our communities. We stand with our local, state and federal partners as we continue to fight this battle along with them.”
The Division of Criminal Justice Services has awarded a total of $14 million through Project RISE. Six other cities – Albany, Mt. Vernon, Newburgh, Rochester, Syracuse and Yonkers – also received $2 million each to support community-based organizations offering mentoring, mental health services, restorative practices, community trust building, employment and education support, and youth development activities, among other programs and services. Project RISE grant recipients in Rochester have been announced, and grantees in the other cities are slated to be announced soon.
City of Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown said, “The City of Buffalo has seen significant decreases in violent crime over the last two years. I thank Governor Hochul for her continued support that allows our officers to do their jobs more effectively and our relationships with community partners to be strengthened. The City of Buffalo will continue this hard work and collaboration in the pursuit of great public safety.”
Buffalo Police Department Commissioner Joseph A. Gramaglia said, “With GIVE X funding from New York State, the Buffalo Police Department has been able to fund micro hot spot directed patrols, custom notifications, crime prevention through environmental design projects, community engagement, and so much more. These programs that make our streets safer are made possible by Governor Hochul’s support. I am proud to say that violent crime continues to decline in the City of Buffalo because of initiatives like GIVE.”
Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn said, “We are committed to keeping our neighborhoods safe and preventing violence by removing illegal guns from the streets and holding offenders accountable. Thank you to Governor Kathy Hochul for these significant investments into resources for my office, law enforcement agencies and our anti-violence community partners, which was crucial in reducing the number of gun violence-related incidents in the City of Buffalo. I also want to thank the Buffalo Police Department for their partnership and commitment to keeping our city safe.
President and CEO of Erie County Medical Center Thomas J. Quatroche Jr., Ph.D. said, “We applaud Governor Hochul’s commitment to supporting local law enforcement and community organizations dedicated to reducing gun violence. By supporting and investing in the anti-violence programs based at ECMC, Buffalo Rising Against Violence (BRAVE) and SNUG, the Governor has committed to providing the key resources in reducing gun violence and saving lives. As Western New York’s only Level 1 Adult Trauma Center, ECMC caregivers know too well the devastating effects of gun violence and that’s why we stand with Governor in this important initiative.”
Back to Basics President and CEO and WNY Peacemakers Coordinator Pastor James Giles said, “The City of Buffalo is a model for other cities around the country for what we call ‘Collective Impact.’ The decrease in violent crimes demonstrates what happens when local law enforcement, The District Attorney’s office, Probation and Community Based Organizations work in a collective way to engage the community to embrace violence reduction efforts. GIVE allows and reinforces that principle.”
Governor Hochul secured $337 million – an increase of $110 million – in the FY24 Budget to support her comprehensive, multifaceted plan to target gun violence and violent crime, improve public safety, and strengthen communities. That plan includes, but is not limited to, the following funding, which also is administered by the Division of Criminal Justice Services:
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