Police departments across Western New York are getting a major tech upgrade—thanks to a $19 million investment from the state aimed at boosting safety, solving crimes faster, and staying ahead of criminals.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced the funding during a visit to the Town of Tonawanda Police Department on Monday, where she toured new high-tech tools like drones, virtual training systems, and a 3D crime scene scanner.
High-tech tools, safer streets
“This is how you fight crime,” Hochul said. “You fund the police at record levels, equip them with the best technology, and improve coordination between agencies.”
The $19 million investment is part of a larger $127 million program supporting 378 law enforcement agencies statewide. In Tonawanda alone, the police department received $734,000 in grants to purchase new equipment—everything from SWAT headsets to advanced communication tools.
One highlight: a 3D scanner that maps crime and accident scenes in minutes, capturing thousands of data points for precise reconstruction. It’s a big step up from pen-and-paper diagrams and helps preserve fragile evidence while giving prosecutors stronger visuals in court.
Results already showing
Officials say the investment is working. In Tonawanda, index crime is down 11% since last year. Violent crime? Down 36%. In Erie County overall, shootings are down 22% and murders down 23%.
“It’s making a real difference,” Hochul said.
The Governor also pointed to funding for violence prevention programs like SNUG, which uses community members—including former offenders—to mentor young people and steer them away from crime. Western New York received over $6 million for gun violence reduction and $3.2 million for street outreach.
Bigger picture approach
The funding fits into Hochul’s broader crime strategy: funding law enforcement, fixing broken laws, using red flag protections to prevent mass shootings, and modernizing how agencies share information.
She also took aim at federal budget cuts, including an $87 million reduction in Homeland Security’s counter-terrorism funds. That’s a 40% cut in Western New York alone.
“How does that make us safer?” she said. “It doesn’t.”
Local support and impact
Tonawanda Police Chief James Stauffiger said the department is using the money strategically and thanked state leaders for backing their efforts.
“We’re always trying to stay a step ahead of the criminals, but they make it hard on us,” Hochul said. “That’s why technology matters.”
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