BUFFALO, NY (March 31, 2026) — Governor Kathy Hochul announced a continued decline in gun violence across New York, with significant drops in shootings and gun deaths noted through the first quarter of 2026. The announcement highlighted the success of the Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative, which saw shooting incidents in participating communities decrease by 65 percent compared to the same period in 2021.
Five police departments, including Utica and Mount Vernon, reported zero shooting incidents between January and March 2026.
Buffalo reported historic reductions, with shooting incidents down 84 percent and shooting victims declining 85 percent since Governor Hochul took office.
“Public safety is my top priority,” Governor Hochul stated. “Our investments in law enforcement and community-based prevention programs are continuing to save lives.”
The GIVE initiative, administered by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, supports 28 police departments outside New York City. It combines data-driven policing with community-based prevention strategies, receiving a record $36 million in funding.
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools under the direction and editing of Robert Cox.
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