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NYS: $20.7 million for community outreach programs to reduce gun violence, save lives across New York

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Tue, Feb 4th 2025 10:55 am

SNUG Street Outreach Grants awarded to community-based organizations and trauma centers with individuals who are credible messengers and work with at-risk individuals

√ Shooting incidents with injury reached an all-time low in communities participating in state’s GIVE initiative

Submitted by the Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Monday announced $20.7 million to support SNUG Street Outreach programs that work to reduce gun violence and save lives in 14 communities across New York. These grants to community-based organizations and hospitals fund outreach workers, hospital responders, social workers and case managers who are credible messengers and work with individuals at risk of gun violence, connecting them with support and services to change behavior and increase opportunities.

Last week, Hochul announced shooting incidents with injury reported in communities participating in the state’s Gun Involved Violence Initiative (GIVE) reached record lows in 2024, with 588 incidents reported compared to 817 in 2023, a 28% reduction. The governor’s FY26 executive budget continues unprecedented support for SNUG, gun-involved violence and other initiatives in communities that report 90% of violent crimes with firearms or 85% of violent crimes outside of New York City.

“Public safety is my No. 1 priority – that’s why my budget invests in proven initiatives like the SNUG program to drive down gun violence, save lives and keep New Yorkers safe,” Hochul said. “Outreach teams across the state are working alongside law enforcement and local partners to target gun violence anywhere it occurs, and to engage stakeholders in a comprehensive approach that makes our communities safer for all.”

New York’s SNUG program uses a public health approach to address gun violence by identifying the source; interrupting transmission; and treating individuals, families and communities affected by the violence. Administered by the state Division of Criminal Justice Services, SNUG, GIVE, the state’s nationally recognized Crime Analysis Centers Network and Project RISE (Respond, Invest, Sustain, Empower) are key components of Hochul’s comprehensive plan to address the causes and consequences of gun violence and other crimes.

New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado said, “These dedicated individuals work in communities disproportionately affected by gun violence. They mediate and defuse conflicts and provide access to programs and support, including counseling and case management, so youth and families can thrive, and communities can heal. We thank Gov. Hochul for her continued support of this work, and for her leadership on public safety.”

The $20.7 million will fund staff, programs, services, equipment and technology for the SNUG locations during the 2025 calendar year. Community-based organizations and hospitals receive the funding, which supports 181 full-time and 39 part-time employees who work in specific neighborhoods in Albany, the Bronx, Buffalo, Hempstead, Mt. Vernon, Newburgh, Niagara Falls, Poughkeepsie, Syracuse, Rochester, Troy, Utica, Wyandanch and Yonkers. DCJS tracks shooting data in these “SNUG zones.” Last year, those zones collectively reported significant, double-digit decreases in shooting victims, individuals killed by gun violence, and shooting incidents with injury – when compared to 2023.

SNUG outreach workers, social workers, case managers and hospital responders work in neighborhoods disproportionately affected by gun violence, and the program also embeds social workers and hospital responders at level one trauma centers in Albany, Buffalo, the Bronx, Rochester and Syracuse. These professionals work with individuals and families in the aftermath of a violent incident to offer support, services and connect them to the SNUG program in their communities for additional assistance.

SNUG staff are credible messengers who live in the communities in which they work, and some have been involved with the criminal justice system or lost loved ones to violence. They work with teens and young adults to detect and defuse disputes before they escalate; respond to shootings to prevent retaliation through mediation and assist family members of those who have been injured or killed; and mentor youth involved with the program to set goals and connect them with educational and job opportunities as well as other services. The programs also engage the community, religious organizations and clergy, and local businesses by sponsoring anti-violence marches, job fairs, block parties, sporting events and other community gatherings.

The following local organizations and hospitals will receive funding and support from DCJS to administer SNUG:

√ Buffalo – Erie County Medical Center: $2,800,915

√ Niagara Falls – Community Missions of Niagara Frontier: $ 677,170

Comprehensive training, site visits and support from DCJS set SNUG apart from other community-based violence interruption programs across the state and country. New staff must complete 40 hours of training, and new supervisors complete 32 hours of management training. All staff must also complete 40 hours of professional development training annually. This ongoing training and support help ensure that the program operates consistently across all SNUG sites despite being operated by different community-based organizations and hospitals.

State Sen. Sean Ryan said, “Promoting public safety in Buffalo and across our state is a top priority. It's why we have passed the toughest gun safety laws in the nation and continue to fund initiatives that reduce crime and strengthen communities. I am thankful for Gov. Hochul's support for these outreach programs, which have a proven track record of reducing gun violence.”

Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes said, “We know that outreach works. When people in the community are supporting efforts to combat gun violence, lives get saved. I support the GIVE initiative and other anti-violence initiatives, as well as the work SNUG continues to do in our communities. The response teams at Erie County Medical Center continue to be top of the line.”

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said, “Investing in SNUG programs helps to build safer communities and reduce gun violence. This grant award will help provide the ongoing training and support that is critical to SNUG, and I thank Gov. Hochul for her partnership in helping to keep our citizens safe.”

Buffalo Mayor Chris Scanlon said, “I want to thank Gov. Hochul for her continued investment in violence prevention efforts here in Buffalo. The $2.8 million awarded to Erie County Medical Center for the SNUG Street Outreach program will provide critical resources to community organizations and trauma responders who work tirelessly to prevent gun violence and save lives. In recent years, we’ve seen firsthand how these initiatives make a real difference in our neighborhoods, and this funding will allow us to continue that progress – connecting at-risk individuals with the support they need and ensuring a safer, healthier, stronger Buffalo for all.”

Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino said, “We appreciate the continued investment by Gov. Hochul in programs that help keep our communities safe. We know that our community benefits from the various initiatives advanced by the governor. These additional resources will help continue our efforts to keep our city safe.” 

The Division of Criminal Justice Services provides critical support to all facets of the state’s criminal justice system, including, but not limited to: training law enforcement and other criminal justice professionals; overseeing a law enforcement accreditation program; ensuring Breathalyzer and speed enforcement equipment used by local law enforcement operate correctly; managing criminal justice grant funding; analyzing statewide crime and program data; providing research support; overseeing county probation departments and alternatives to incarceration programs; and coordinating youth justice policy. Follow DCJS on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).

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