Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled a comprehensive public safety plan in her State of the State address. The plan is designed to address several key issues facing the state, including gun violence, violent crime, recidivism, and the flow of deadly fentanyl. The Governor is proposing a series of initiatives and investments that will expand proven programs and services to help combat these issues.
One of the major components of the plan is to expand the number of New York State Police Community Stabilization Units. These units have been instrumental in the State Police’s efforts to interdict illegal firearms and provide underserved communities with additional resources and support. By expanding the number of Community Stabilization Units, the Governor hopes to build on the success of the existing units and further reduce gun violence and other violent crime in the state.
In addition to expanding the Community Stabilization Units, the Governor is also proposing to bolster trooper participation in federal task forces. This will allow the State Police to work more closely with federal law enforcement agencies to target and disrupt criminal organizations that are involved in the trafficking of illegal firearms and other criminal activities.
Another key component of the Governor’s plan is to increase the ranks of the State Police by offering an unprecedented four academy classes. This will allow the State Police to recruit and train a larger number of officers, which will help to ensure that the agency has the necessary resources to effectively combat crime and keep communities safe.
In addition to these initiatives, the Governor is also proposing to double funding for the State’s nationally recognized Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative. This initiative is designed to target and disrupt criminal organizations that are involved in the trafficking of illegal firearms and other criminal activities. By increasing funding for the GIVE initiative, the Governor hopes to further reduce gun violence and other violent crime in the state.
The Governor is also proposing to more than triple aid to prosecution grants to the State’s 62 district attorneys’ offices. This will provide district attorneys with the additional resources they need to effectively prosecute cases, which will help to ensure that criminals are held accountable for their actions.
Finally, the Governor is proposing to invest record funding in alternatives to incarceration and re-entry programs to reduce recidivism and increase opportunity for individuals returning home after serving prison sentences. This will help to ensure that individuals who have served their time are able to successfully reintegrate into society and avoid returning to a life of crime.
Overall, the Governor’s public safety plan is designed to address several key issues facing the state, including gun violence, violent crime, recidivism, and the flow of deadly fentanyl. The Governor is proposing a series of initiatives and investments that will expand proven programs and services to help combat these issues. By working together, the Governor, law enforcement agencies, and community partners can help to make New York a safer and more prosperous state for all residents.
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