ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Governor Kathy Hochul says gun violence across the state has declined to the lowest on record.
Hochul cited that shootings are down 26% in 2024, with only 476 shooting incidents with injury from January 1-September 30, 2024 compared to 646 incidents in the same time period in 2023. So far, 2024 has had the lowest number of shooting incidents with injury since 2006.
She says there has been a significant decrease in gun violence incidents in Niagara Falls, Rochester, Syracuse, Utica and Long Island.
“Public safety is my number one priority, and New York is leading the nation with proven initiatives that are making communities safer,” Governor Hochul said. “Our record investments in law enforcement and in critical programs like the GIVE initiative are making a real difference in every corner of our state, and my administration will continue fighting to keep New Yorkers safe.”
Hochul highlighted the state's Gun Involved Violence Elimination initiative (GIVE) that has provided law enforcement agencies across the state nearly $36 million to help reduce gun violence in New York.
“These reductions in gun violence show that our evidence-based approaches like our street outreach programs, our GIVE Initiative, hot-spots policing and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design are effective. I’d like to thank Governor Hochul, our community partners and law enforcement across the state for investing in our communities and for the work they do to improve public safety for all New Yorkers," said New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rosanna Rosado.
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James added, “Over the years, law enforcement has learned that we are most effective when we work together. Combating gun violence is no small matter and we are fighting this battle on many fronts along with our local, state, and federal partners. The decrease in numbers shows progress is being made and I thank Governor Hochul for her continued support of these integral efforts to tackle gun violence.”