Grisanti announces crime-fighting grants awarded to Buffalo and Niagara Falls Police departments

Effort to reduce violent crime and domestic violence; Buffalo police receive almost $1.5 million, Niagara Falls police $611,900

Press release

State Sen. Mark Grisanti, R-I-60, has announced that the state Division of Criminal Justice Services has selected the City of Buffalo and the City of Niagara Falls police departments to each receive funding as a part of Operation IMPACT to target violent and gun crime and domestic violence. Operation IMPACT awarded $13 million to 17 counties with priority given to those jurisdictions with the highest volume of crime.

Locally, police departments and the district attorney's office, Niagara County Sheriff's Office and Probation Department, as well as state and federal agencies including parole, State Police and the U.S. Marshals, all partner to form Operation IMPACT. The grants are awarded to fight, reduce and prevent crime through the analysis of data and trends, as well as development and sharing of intelligence and targeted enforcement efforts. The Buffalo PD was granted $1,494,500 and the Niagara Falls PD $611,900. Both counties saw an increase in funding over last year's award.

"This funding through Operation IMPACT provides the resources so that those tasked with fighting crime across all levels of local government can create intelligence-driven policies and strategies to address persistent crime. Not only are these grants welcome during these cash-strapped times, but they can make a huge difference in the safety and wellbeing of the citizens in both Buffalo and Niagara Falls," Grisanti said.

In 2011, the total number of crimes reported by the 17 primary police departments that participate in Operation IMPACT was 109,233 (the lowest recorded number in 10 years). Last year, IMPACT jurisdictions experienced a 3.8 percent reduction in crime, with decreases reported in every crime category, except burglary, when compared to 2010. Violent crimes were down 6 percent and property crimes were down 4 percent.

The FBI and the state monitor overall crime trends and give law enforcement a tool to gauge effectiveness and drive decision-making about staffing and day-to-day operations. The seven crimes indexed include violent crimes such as murder, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault, as well as property crimes such as burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft.