Governor Kathy Hochul highlighted $23.5 million in state public safety investments in the City of Syracuse and Onondaga County for law enforcement agencies and community-based organizations, including $2.5 million in new funding to establish diversion programs to strengthen services and connect justice-involved young people with education and employment opportunities. At the same time, Governor Hochul detailed the state’s record-level, $3.2 million investment through the state’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination initiative, $3.2 million in technology and equipment funding for county law enforcement agencies, and $2 million in second-year funding through Project RISE to support community-based organizations addressing the impact of gun violence and providing youth opportunities.
“Public safety is my number one priority, and we are doubling down our efforts to keep residents of Syracuse and Onondaga County safe by giving more support to law enforcement, bolstering gun violence prevention initiatives and expanding youth diversion programs,” Governor Hochul said. “By utilizing a multi-pronged approach centered around local needs, we are working to rein in criminal activity and create safer neighborhoods and communities.”
After meeting with local elected and community leaders, Governor Hochul detailed the state’s investment in the City of Syracuse and Onondaga County, administered by the state Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). They then identified solutions to address a spike in property crime involving teenagers that is driving an overall increase in crime in Syracuse through the first nine months of the year as compared to the same time in 2023.
The City of Syracuse will receive $1.5 million in new funding to establish a new program dedicated to providing justice-system involved youth with structured classes to develop skills, support to navigate the education and justice systems, and internships and other resources with the goal of avoiding further criminal justice system involvement.
In addition, Governor Hochul will dedicate an additional $1 million to enhance youth justice alternatives and diversion programs and services within the Onondaga County Probation Department. This investment will be paired with dedicated technical assistance from DCJS to help build the capacity of local government and community-based organizations to intervene in the lives of these young people, change their thinking and behavior, and promote positive development.
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