Governor Kathy Hochul, joined by local law enforcement and elected officials, including County Executive Ed Romaine, visited the Suffolk County Police Academy in Brentwood on July 23 to announce that approximately $2.7 million in funding has been awarded to Long Island law enforcement agencies.
“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,” 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.”
In an effort to bolster efforts to reduce gun violence, Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) will be awarding different Long Island agencies with state funding for equipment, overtime, and personnel, as well as comprehensive, focused training and technical assistance.
“The grant money builds upon our success in fighting gun violence, providing funds to focus on enforcement and community outreach efforts,” said Suffolk County Police Department Commissioner Kevin Catalina.
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. 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.
“The GIVE grant has been a critical tool in our efforts to reduce gun violence by funding key personnel and supporting programs that reach at-risk youth before trouble does,” said Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. “This is what real collaboration looks like, and we’re proud to continue this vital work together.”
Due to Hochul’s 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).
Nine agencies on Long Island will receive nearly $2.7 million in funding, with Nassau County getting $1,345,223 and Suffolk County receiving $1,333,943.
For Nassau County, $486,223 2ill go to the Police Department, $324,000 to the Probation Department, $270,000 to the Hempstead Village Police Department, $225,000 to the District Attorney’s Office and $40,000 to the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office.
“This grant funding enhances our shared commitment with local law enforcement to reducing gun violence Nassau County. Violent crime and shooting deaths have dropped substantially this year as we continue to work collaboratively with the Nassau County Police Department, Sheriff’s Office, Department of Probation, and Parole Division in taking guns off our streets,” Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly told Long Island Life & Politics. “The resources afforded by this funding will support the personnel and technology needed to stop senseless gun violence from occurring and help keep Nassau the safest county in America.”
State Senator Siela Bynoe (D-Garden City) said, “Gun violence is a public health crisis in New York State, and I am grateful to Governor Hochul for taking action to reduce the number of individuals injured or killed in this epidemic. Community-based solutions like the GIVE initiative, which supports Nassau’s law enforcement in their mission to combat gun violence in our neighborhoods, are critical to maintaining statewide progress in reducing shooting incidents. While Nassau County has an extraordinary safety record, there is more work to be done, and this initiative proves to be an invaluable resource.”
For Suffolk County, the District Attorney’s Office will receive $564,291. In addition, the Police Department will receive $459,998, the Probation Department will get $176,256, and $133,398 will go to the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office.
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said, “These grants help ensure that our law enforcement officers have the tools they need to protect our families, support survivors, and build safer neighborhoods for everyone who calls Suffolk home.”
“It is devastating and unacceptable that gun violence is still the leading cause of death for children in the United States,” said Suffolk County Legislator Rebecca Sanin (D-Huntington Station). “Today marks a significant step forward in our fight to keep our kids safer in Suffolk County,