The New York chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots networks, released the following statements applauding Governor Kathy Hochul for her commitment to invest $337 million in public safety measures to combat gun violence epidemic, including over $100 million in community focused funding. New York has been in a state of emergency related to gun violence since a July 2021 declaration by former Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. Governor Hochul’s budget proposal allocates significant funding toward youth employment programs and community violence prevention programs.
“As a student who lives in New York City, it is inspiring to see leaders like Governor Hochul taking big strides to protect our communities,” said Cora Lynn Mundy, a volunteer with the New York chapter of Students Demand Action. “We applaud Governor Hochul for recognizing the need for evidence-informed, community-driven solutions to end gun violence in New York.”
Governor Hochul’s budget will allocate the following funds for public safety:
- $84.1 million for youth employment programs, of which $37 million is for programs in Gun Involved Violence Elimination jurisdictions.
- $70 million for communities to respond to the aftermath of gun violence, of which $50 million is for community capital needs.
- $31.4 million for alternatives to incarceration program
- $31.1 million for crime reduction, youth justice and gang prevention programs.
- $25.9 million for State Police Community Stabilization Units.
- $25 million for the SNUG Street Outreach program.
- $18 million for Crime Analysis Centers.
- $11.5 million for reentry services
While there is no one solution to end gun violence, community violence intervention programs play a key role in making cities safer. Community-led programs have been shown to reduce gun violence in some of the most heavily impacted neighborhoods. Leaders and lawmakers must create community-driven, evidence-informed implementation plans to ensure that resources are efficiently meeting the needs of the neighborhoods they are intended to serve. When implemented correctly, extreme risk laws are crucial to keeping guns out of the hands of individuals in crisis, preventing firearm suicides and other acts of gun violence.
In an average year in New York, 870 people die by guns and 1,991 people are wounded. Gun violence costs New York $11.4 billion each year, of which $301.2 million is paid by taxpayers. More information on gun violence in New York is available here
