Governor Hochul invests $1 million to combat gun violence in Hempstead

The looming threat of gun violence plagues cities and towns everywhere throughout the United States, but Gov. Kathy Hochul is trying to remain proactive and apply a “public health approach” to curb the gun violence epidemic while she waits for congress to act.

This week, the governor announced a monumental investment of over $20 million as part of the SNUG Street Outreach program, a state grant distributed to support 16 different community-based organizations and hospitals in 14 communities across the state — including over $1 million to the Family & Children's Association the in the Village of Hempstead, a not-for-profit organization that provides social services and programs that aim to “provide help and hope to Long Island’s most vulnerable families, children, seniors, individuals, and communities on Long Island,” according to their website.

This investment aims to fund outreach workers, hospital responders, social workers, and case managers — collectively known as credible messengers — in communities that the state has identified as higher risk for gun violence.

"Gun violence is an epidemic that is tearing our country apart, and thoughts and prayers won't fix this, but taking strong action will," Governor Hochul said last year after signing a comprehensive bill package that prohibited the sale of semiautomatic weapons to people under 21, bans body armor sales outside of people in select professions, closed critical gun law loopholes and strengthened red flag laws.

“While we are taking expedient action to enhance New York State's nation-leading gun laws, we recognize that gun violence is a nationwide problem. I once again urge Congress to follow our lead and take immediate action to pass meaningful gun violence prevention measures, because lives depend on it."

The goal of this program is to apply a “public health approach” to addressing the gun epidemic in America. It aims to identify the root causes and sources of violence in each community and work to interrupt the cycle while providing crucial support to individuals, families, and the communities affected by the violence.

Jeffrey Reynolds, President and CEO of the Family & Children’s Association in Hempstead expressed gratitude towards Hochul for the state funding, explaining the money will be used to support their long-standing efforts in the Village of Hempstead to reduce gun violence and go towards investing in further resources for the community — such as hiring additional staff and implementing further support and social work services for people impacted by gun violence — including victims and their families.

This includes providing services such as, trauma-informed counseling, support groups, mentoring at-risk youth, connections to job and educational opportunities, advocacy and assistance with filing victim compensation applications, and have staff dedicated to detecting and defusing disputes in the community before they escalate, working around the clock to respond to shootings and prevent retaliation. The programs also engage the community, religious organizations and clergy, and local businesses by sponsoring anti-violence marches, job fairs, block parties, sporting events and other community gatherings with the goal of bringing the community together.

“Nothing stops a bullet like a job and a bright future,” said Reynolds.

The SNUG program already has a proven track record state-wide and has remained a key element in Hochul’s initiatives to drive down gun violence and improve community safety. “Public safety is my top priority, and we are working to reduce gun violence in the communities most affected by it,” Hochul said. “With these funds, we are expanding on the proven success of the SNUG program, which has been a key component of my administration’s efforts to drive down incidents of gun violence and tackle this issue across the state.”

Through Dec. 3 of this year, the 13 communities already participating in SNUG, alongside the 20 police departments engaged in the GIVE initiative — which provides state funding to local law enforcement agencies for equipment, overtime, personnel, as well as focused training and technical assistance — collectively reported a 36 percent reduction in shootings compared to the same timeframe in 2021.

The positive impact of these investments were also felt throughout the five boroughs, where participating police departments reported a 25 percent reduction in shooting incidents and a 27 percent decrease in shooting injuries during the same period.

“I am excited about the funds that the Family and Children’s center received to help maintain the safety in our community,” said Hempstead Village Mayor Waylyn Hobbs. “I know those funds will be put to good use and will help uplift our community.”

Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder did not respond to request for comment by press time.