Funding supports crime reduction efforts in the Southern Tier

More than $1.2 million in New York State funding will support law enforcement efforts to reduce violent crime.

State Senator Lea Webb announced that state funding will come from the Gun Involved Violence Elimination Initiative (also known as GIVE).

“The safety of our communities here in the Southern Tier is one of my top priorities,” Webb said in a statement. “Using evidence-based strategies and a holistic approach, the GIVE program enables our law enforcement agencies to reduce shootings and violent crime. I am pleased that we were able to fund this program in the budget this year.”

Seven departments in the Southern Tier will receive major reinforcements:

• $370,168: Binghamton Police Department
• $260,330: Broome County Sheriff's Office
• $132,335: Broome County District Attorney’s Office
• $110,000: Broome County Probation Department
• $141,745: Ithaca Police Department
• $195,650: Tompkins County Sheriff's Office
• $46,200: Tompkins County Probation Department

Webb says shootings in communities participating in GIVE fell 28% this year compared to the same period in 2023.