New York City has announced the blueprint of a $485 million effort to combat gun violence in the city.
Last Monday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams was joined by Governor Kathy Hochul to announce the city’s Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Blueprint. The blueprint includes a massive financial investment in city precincts with the highest levels of gun violence.
“This $485 million blueprint captures our administration’s vision for a city free of gun violence,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “From Summer Youth Employment Programs that engage at-risk youth through year long job opportunities to violence interrupters that mediate disagreements before they erupt into gun violence, the Task Force identified concrete programs with a proven track record along with innovative, new ideas.“
According to the governor’s office, the Task Force will target seven strategies for the bulk of the funding to be used. These strategies include the following:
- Early Intervention: $118.3 million to increase early supports, including mentorship opportunities, for young people to prevent them from becoming involved in gun violence.
- Housing: $57.5 million to improve existing housing conditions, especially for public housing residents, and increase access to transitional, supportive, and permanent housing units.
- Navigation & Benefits: $67.8 million to help New Yorkers access public benefits they deserve and provide better assistance to justice-involved individuals and families navigating benefits programs.
- Community Vitality: $8.64 million to invest in public spaces, including parks, playgrounds, and community centers to make neighborhoods safer and more vibrant.
- Employment and Entrepreneurship: $118.5 million to target opportunity and skills training for young New Yorkers and justice-involved individuals to give them pathways to sustainable, well-paying jobs.
- Trauma-Informed Care: $106.66 million to bolster mental health resources for young people and others with a diagnosed mental illness, and ensure appropriate crisis response to those suffering from mental health episodes.
- Community & Police Relations: $2.6 million to strengthen bonds of trust between police and communities by allowing greater collaboration on neighborhood safety initiatives, ensuring more effective policing that balances the twin imperatives of safety and justice.
About 92 percent of total gun violence in New York City is concentrated within 30 high-crime precincts. The report published by the New York City Gun Violence Prevention Task Force specifies that the six communities with the highest number of shooting incidents have been selected to benefit from these investments.
“Stopping gun violence is a collective responsibility, which is why the city and state will continue working hand in hand to make our communities safer and create a future where all New Yorkers can thrive,” said New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
According to research done by United Hospital Fund, New York suffered over 1,000 firearm-related fatalities in 2021. This was the highest level that the state had seen since the CDC first started tracking the statistic.
This piece first appeared at TPUSA.
