Hochul notes major L.I. crime reduction
Governor Kathy Hochul announced a substantial decrease in shooting incidents and overall crime rates on Long Island, highlighting the impact of unprecedented state investments in public safety. The data, reported by the Nassau, Suffolk, and Hempstead police departments, shows a 44 percent reduction in shooting incidents with injury, a 15 percent drop in index crimes, and a 16 percent decrease in property crimes compared to the same period in 2023.
This decline in crime coincides with Governor Hochul’s historic allocation of over $50 million for public safety in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, marking the largest state investment in the region’s history. These funds, included in this year’s State Budget, are aimed at enhancing the capabilities of local law enforcement agencies through the State’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination program and other initiatives.
The GIVE program has been instrumental in this crime reduction. It utilizes evidence-based strategies to tackle gun violence, focusing on areas with high incidences of shootings. Nassau, Suffolk, and Hempstead police departments, key participants in the GIVE program, reported significant progress. From January 1 to June 30, 2024, there were 22 shooting incidents with injury, down from 39 during the same period in 2023. This 44 percent decline is notably higher than the statewide average reduction of 27 percent.
Governor Hochul expressed her commitment to public safety, stating, “Public safety is my top priority, and I am committed to using every tool at my disposal to protect the people of this state and crack down on gun violence and violent crime. We’ve partnered with local police agencies to successfully get guns off the streets and drive down overall crime on Long Island, and I will continue investing in the men and women in uniform who are working hard every day to make sure their communities are safe.”
The state has allocated $1,494,692 to Nassau County agencies and $1,307,677 to Suffolk County agencies for the GIVE funding cycle, which runs from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. This funding is part of a broader $21.1 million one-time capital investment provided to 39 police departments and sheriffs’ offices. This includes $1.1 million specifically allocated to the Glen Cove Police Department for the purchase of advanced law enforcement technology and equipment. These resources are intended to enhance the effectiveness of local police in solving, reducing, and preventing crime.
The 2025 enacted budget further underscores the state’s commitment to public safety, with nearly $160 million allocated to law enforcement agencies and community-based organizations. This comprehensive plan addresses gun violence, reduces crime, and improves public safety through a multifaceted approach. Key allocations include $80 million to offset costs of discovery reform implementation and pretrial procedure changes, $59,459,000 in Aid to Prosecution funding for district attorneys’ offices, and $20 million for pretrial services.
The Glen Cove Police Department plans to use these resources to invest in new technologies and equipment. Chief of Police William Whitton said the additional funding will help invest in new technologies and equipment to better serve the community police are sworn to protect.
“It’s very important that our police officers have the tools to keep the community and to keep themselves safe as well,” Glen Cove mayor Pamela Panzenbeck said. “They’re compiling that list now as to what they’re going to buy. They’re on top of everything. So many of them are actual Glen Covers, they know everyone in the community and they’re wonderful.”
Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton said Hochul has taken an important step toward ensuring that Glen Cove remains the safest municipality of its size in America. She says she’s confident that these resources will greatly enhance and strengthen local community policing initiatives.
“From her first days in office, Governor Hochul has shown a continued commitment to fighting crime,” Assemblymember Chuck Lavine said in a statement. “These new statistics reflect that her efforts are paying off and she’s not done yet. This significant investment in local law enforcement, including more than a million dollars for the City of Glen Cove Police Department, ensures that it will have the necessary resources to keep my constituents safe.”
