By Hank Russell
Long Island will receive approximately $2 million from the state as part of its anti-gun violence initiative. The money will be used to support SNUG Street Outreach programs, an evidence-based violence prevention initiative that works to reduce gun violence and save lives in 14 communities across New York State.
These grants allow community-based organizations and hospitals to employ outreach workers, hospital responders, social workers and case managers who are credible messengers and work with individuals at the highest risk of gun violence, connecting them with support and services to interrupt cycles of harm, promote healing and increase opportunity.
“I am proud to continue investing in SNUG and the community-based partners who are doing this lifesaving work every day,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “SNUG is helping keep neighborhoods safer, supporting families in the aftermath of violence and creating real opportunities for young people to thrive. These teams are making a meaningful difference in communities across New York, and we will continue to build on that progress.”
Family and Children’s Association in Hempstead will receive $1,190,580, and the Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk in Wyandanch will get $762,683.
“The SNUG Street Outreach program has been proven to reduce gun violence through a community-based approach,” said Hempstead Village Mayor Waylyn Hobbs. “This investment in Hempstead through the Family and Children’s Association will help our law enforcement continue to bring down crime and ultimately save lives.”
“Investments like this are critical to supporting the kind of community-based solutions that make a real difference in people’s lives,” said Baylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer. “The funding awarded to the Wyandanch Economic Opportunity Council will help expand outreach efforts, connect individuals with important resources and strengthen violence prevention work right here in the Town of Babylon.”
According to statistics from the state’s most recent Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) program, the Hempstead Village Police Department has not reported any shootings so far this year. In Nassau County, there was one shooting incident, one shooting death and one person injured. Suffolk saw three shooting incidents, four injured as a result of a shooting and no deaths.