Senator Lea Webb Announces $1.2 Million in State Funding to Support Law Enforcement in the Southern Tier

(Southern Tier, NY)- Today, Senator Lea Webb (SD52) announced that Broome and Tompkins counties will receive $1.2 million in state funding through the ‘Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE)’ initiative. This funding will bolster efforts to reduce gun violence. A nationally recognized program, the Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative provides law enforcement agencies in 28 communities outside of New York City with state funding for equipment, overtime, and personnel, as well as comprehensive, focused training and technical assistance. As a result, between 2021 and 2024, shootings in GIVE jurisdictions dropped 52 percent. Last year, shooting incidents with injury reached the lowest point since the state began tracking data in 2006.

“This $1.2 million investment in Broome and Tompkins counties through the GIVE initiative will strengthen local law enforcement by providing the tools, training, and personnel needed to keep our streets safe,” said Senator Lea Webb. “The nationally recognized program has already helped reduce shootings by more than half in participating communities, and this funding will build on that success.”

Said Broome County District Attorney Battisti, “We are extremely appreciative of the $157,738 awarded to Broome County through the Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative. This funding will directly support our ongoing efforts to reduce gun violence in our community by enhancing the resources available to our law enforcement agencies. With this grant, we can provide additional personnel, equip our officers with the latest tools, and offer targeted training to ensure our teams are prepared to respond to the complex issues of gun violence. The success of the GIVE program, which has already led to a 52% drop in shootings in participating communities, is a testament to the power of collaboration and data-driven strategies. We are committed to building on this success and working with our state and local partners to continue reducing gun violence in Broome County and beyond.”

Said Tompkins County Sheriff, Derek R. Osborne, “I appreciate Senator Webb’s strong commitment to the GIVE program and her continued support in helping us make our communities safer. This funding is critical to advancing our public safety efforts.”

Said Broome County Probation Department, “The GIVE grant monies allow the Probation Department to fund two officers dedicated to supervising gun involved convictions.  This intense supervision includes placing the probationer on electronic monitoring, enforcing curfews, home searches and referrals to various community agencies.  The GIVE officers also work closely with the Broome County Crime Analysis Center as well as other local law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of the community.”

Said Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham, “Public safety remains our top priority, and this funding will go directly to advance 21st century policing efforts in Binghamton. Partnership between the Binghamton Police Department and the Division of Criminal Justice Services continues to be strong. We’re committed to delivering results — with the support of this grant funding — in reducing gun crime and violent crime in neighborhoods.”

Senate District 52 received the following funding through the ‘GIVE’ initiative.

• $360,753 for the Binghamton City Police Department
• $202,511 for the Broome County Sheriff’s Office 
• $157,738 for the Broome County District Attorney 
• $103,400 for the Broome County Probation Department 
• $220,650 for the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office 
• $150,485 for the Ithaca Police Department 
• $50,820 for the Tompkins County Probation Department 

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