WHITE PLAINS, NY (October 23, 2025) — Westchester County police agencies reported an 18 percent decrease in index crime during the first four months of 2025 compared with the same period last year, the most current comprehensive data available, state officials announced Thursday.
The drop includes a 19 percent decline in violent crime countywide and 30 to 35 percent in index crime in Mount Pleasant, the site of the announcement.
In Yonkers and Mount Vernon, the county’s two communities participating in the Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative, shootings with injuries fell 42 percent, the number of individuals shot decreased 46 percent and three fewer people — four compared with seven — were killed.
Gov. Kathy Hochul joined County Executive Ken Jenkins, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, District Attorney Susan Cacace and Public Safety Commissioner Terrence Raynor for a news conference in Mount Pleasant to spotlight the results and demonstrate new equipment funded by a $11.4 million state grant. The allocation is part of a $127 million statewide investment in local police technology upgrades through New York’s Law Enforcement Technology Grant Program.
The funding has enabled purchases of mobile license plate readers, surveillance cameras, body cameras, tablets for patrol vehicles and a GPS dart gun that sticks to fleeing vehicles to track them safely without high-speed chases. Hochul described the tools as “essential crime upgrades” that help keep officers and communities safe.
“These are really essential crime upgrades that represent just one aspect of our very much holistic approach to public safety,” Hochul said. “Statewide, we’ve secured over $3 billion in law enforcement across the array of supporting our district attorneys and local grants and our state police work.”
The strategy also encompasses the SNUG street outreach program using violence interrupters who are former offenders, Project RISE youth mentoring, 11 regional crime analysis centers for real-time data sharing and legal reforms including stronger bail laws for repeat offenders, revised discovery rules to avoid technical dismissals and expanded red flag laws to remove guns from at-risk individuals.
“We fund the police at record levels. We don’t defund the police,” Hochul said. “We give them the tools they need. They have the best technology.”
Jenkins credited the collaborative effort for the gains. “Thank you to Governor Kathy Hochul for her leadership and understanding that fighting crime and keeping our streets safe requires both innovation and investment,” he said. “I’m incredibly proud of the dedicated men and women in law enforcement who work tirelessly to protect the people of Westchester County. As the son of a New York City Police Officer, I know firsthand the toll this work can take — but I also know the immense pride that comes with achieving results like these. An 18 percent decrease in index crime is no small feat — it’s a testament to your hard work, commitment, and collaboration.”
In Yonkers, shootings are down 25 percent and in Mount Vernon 55 percent since Hochul took office. Jenkins noted the county’s Department of Public Safety is funded at its highest levels ever, reflecting a commitment to residents’ safety. “These are not just numbers on a chart. They represent fewer victims, safer communities, stronger communities,” he said.
Stewart-Cousins, a former Westchester legislator, highlighted the unified state approach. “There is never a fight about funding our brave men and women who are protecting us and certainly finding new ways to boost the technology to allow for people to do their jobs in an efficient way, in a way that keeps us safe,” she said.
Raynor emphasized the tools’ role in prevention and accountability. “These technologies aren’t just about catching criminals. They’re about preventing harm before it happens,” he said. “They help us identify patterns, connect with our residents, and ensure that our officers come home safely at the end of their tour.”
Hochul criticized federal actions for undermining local efforts, including redirecting FBI resources to immigration enforcement and attempts to claw back $200 million in homeland security grants, which would have cut $2.3 million from Westchester police and nearly $2.5 million from Yonkers. “My simple message to Washington is this and to the Republicans in Congress who are letting this all happen under their watch … just stop,” she said.
A breakdown of index crime data from Westchester police agencies and shooting metrics from Mount Vernon and Yonkers departments is available online, according to state reports. Officials stressed the work is ongoing.
“You’ll never hear me declare a victory on crime. There’s always another crime being committed,” Hochul said. “But we’re making a real difference. You cannot argue with the data.”
WESTCHESTER
Watch the full News Conference
Watch the Highlight Reel
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.
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