What once was Operation IMPACT, is now the GIVE Initiative.
But by whatever name the crime fighting program is known, the Falls and Niagara County will benefit to the tune of $651,7697 in the coming year.
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the funding on Friday. More than $13.2 million dollars will be allocated to 17 counties outside outside New York City.
The Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative is designed to aid local law enforcement agencies in communities that experience high rates of violent crime.
"The state is working to reduce gun violence and make New York's communities safer for all," Cuomo said. "Through the GIVE initiative, we are partnering with local law enforcement agencies to address the causes of violent crime, reduce shootings, and bring offenders to justice."
GIVE builds upon the highly successful Operation IMPACT. Established a decade ago, IMPACT focused on 17 counties, outside five boroughs of New York City, and on Long Island that are served by 20 law enforcement agencies.
Collectively, those communities reported 86 percent of the violent crime in the state outside of New York City. In addition to the Falls Police Department, funding will also flow to police in Buffalo, Jamestown and Rochester.
Those police agencies will now refine their crime-fighting focus under GIVE. As was done under IMPACT, the agencies will implement strategies to reduce shootings and homicides by building on information sharing and other police partnerships.
GIVE will also support expanding crime analysis and engaging communities in the fight against gun violence.
The State Department of Criminal Justice Services outlined suggested GIVE strategies including targeting known offenders and people considered responsible for the most gun violence in a community and identifying locations and enhancing patrols in identified gun violence "hot spots."
Other strategies are likely to include a renewed on violent street gangs and groups, increased supervision of parolees and the use of street outreach workers to try to interrupt cycles of violence or prevent retaliation.
Funds can be specifically used to pay for prosecutors and crime analysts as well as police overtime, equipment, training and community outreach.
In addition to city cops and the DA, the Niagara County Sheriff's Office and County Probation Department will share in the GIVE funding.
"GIVE builds on the IMPACT partnerships, but focuses on gun violence," DCJS Executive Deputy Commissioner Michael C. Green said. "(It will allow law enforcement agencies) to fight gun violence in a smart and proactive way, saving lives and making their communities -- and our state -- safer."
Big red number $652K Amount of GIVE Initiative funding for Niagara County
Copyright 2014 - Niagara Gazette, Niagara Falls, N.Y.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
