Safer Streets: Governor Hochul Invests Nearly $4 Billion Dollars in Public Safety Since Taking Office as State Sees Sustained Reductions in Crime

Governor Hochul today updated New Yorkers on her record investments in public safety, which have contributed to a significant reduction in crime and gun violence throughout her tenure. To date, the Governor has invested nearly $4 billion in public safety initiatives - including gun violence prevention, subway safety, hate crime prevention, and border security - while providing historic support for local and state law enforcement from Long Island to Buffalo. As a result, New York State has seen a 10 percent decrease in index crime, with reductions across all seven crime categories and a more than 60 percent decline in shooting deaths since the Governor's first full year in office.

"Keeping New Yorkers safe has been my top priority since taking office," Governor Hochul said. "While the Trump administration has cut funding for critical counterterrorism and transit security initiatives and made concessions to the gun lobby, we've invested nearly $4 billion in statewide public safety programs and driven crime rates to record lows. As Governor, I remain committed to doing everything in my power to protect New York communities - with or without support from Washington."

As a result, between January through March 2026 compared to the same time period in 2022, New York State has seen a 10 percent decrease in total index crime, with reductions across all seven categories. This includes the four violent offense classifications - murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault - which fell by 15 percent, and the three property offense classifications - burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft - which decreased by 9 percent.

Additional highlights include a 57 percent decrease in murders, a 28 percent decrease in burglaries, and a 19 percent decrease in motor vehicle thefts.

From January through July 2026, compared to the same period in 2022, New York State saw a 57 percent reduction in shooting incidents with injury, a 57 percent decline in the number of individuals shot, and a 62 percent decrease in shooting deaths.

Highlights of Governor Hochul's investments in public safety include:

• More than $1 billion for gun violence prevention programs, $202 million for law enforcement technology and equipment upgrades, and nearly $50 million in other support, including $25 million to replace an antiquated records management system still used by police agencies across the state;
• More than $680 million for aid to prosecution;
• More than $667 million for aid to defense, including alternatives to incarceration, pre-trial services, and re-entry programs;
• More than $300 million invested in subway safety for increased law enforcement presence, safety upgrades, and SCOUT teams, reducing summer transit crimes to historic lows;
• $165 million for Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes grants;
• $120 million to combat retail theft; and
• $12 million for border security and safety.

For the FY27 fiscal year, Governor Hochul continued her record investments in public safety with:

• $352 million in gun violence prevention grants;
• $122 million to continue the increase of police presence on platforms and trains;
• $35 million for Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes (SCAHC) program;
• $14 million for law enforcement and correctional activities performed by county sheriffs;
• $6.7 million increase for upgrades to DNA and drug analysis technology and accreditation and proficiency testing;
• $5 million for the State Police to develop a comprehensive plan for drone technology;
• $4.5 million to expand the Crime Analysis Center (CAC) network and complete statewide coverage by establishing a new center in Westchester County;
• $4.5 million to prevent and combat deed theft;
• $2 million to expand the State Police's Auto Theft Unit (ATU); and
• $500,000 for a task force to protect from the threat of homegrown 3-D printed guns.