Governor Hochul Announces Significant Progress in the Fight Against Crime in New York’s Capital Region and Across the State (2024)

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced significant progress in the fight against crime in New York’s Capital Region and across the state. During a visit to New York State Police Troop G Headquarters, Governor Hochul highlighted an overall decline in crime in the Capital Region and announced gun seizures are up by 160 percent across the state since the Governor took office. The Governor also detailed reductions in gun violence in Albany, Schenectady and Troy, which participate in the state’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination Initiative. Following Governor Hochul’s nation leading efforts to strengthen Red Flag laws, State Police filed 1,385 Extreme Risk Orders of Protections, or “red flags,” to seize a total of 2,549 guns in 2023. Additionally, Governor Hochul announced car thefts are down in Albany County by 19 percent following the Governor’s Comprehensive Auto-theft Reduction Strategy. Governor Hochul was joined by New York State Police Acting Superintendent Steven James today during the visit to Troop G Headquarters in Latham, where she also announced Lieutenant Trenee Young will become the first African-American woman to hold the rank of Captain within the New York State Police.

“Public safety is my top priority, and I've been laser focused on crime since taking office in 2021,” Governor Hochul said. “We've made significant progress keeping New Yorkers safe, as murder rates plummet and auto thefts decline, but our work is not over. I'm committed to working with the New York State Police and our partners in local law enforcement to fight crime and protect New Yorkers."

Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado said, “New York is proof that addressing gun violence and strengthening common sense gun safety laws leads to safer communities. In the Capital Region and statewide we are taking action to drive down crime and keep residents safe.”

Cities in the Capital Region that participate in the state’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative reported decreases in shooting incidents with injury when comparing full-year data for 2023 to 2022: Albany by 28 percent, Schenectady by 5 percent and Troy by 8 percent. The number of crime guns seized by police agencies across New York State has nearly tripled in the past five years: 517 in 2020 as compared to 1,443 last year.

Governor Hochul also detailed the State Police’s increased use of the state’s Red Flag law, which allows for the removal of guns from individuals deemed to be a danger to themselves or others. Last year, State Police filed 1,385 extreme risk orders of protection (ERPOs) that resulted in the removal of 2,549 guns. To date in 2024, the State Police have obtained 290 ERPOs and removed 590 guns. State Police have filed more ERPOs in the first two months of 2024 than in 2019, 2020, and 2021 combined.

Governor Hochul also highlighted the partnership between the State Police and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to seize illegal guns. On March 1 at approximately 4 p.m., a DEC Forest Ranger encountered two individuals illegally target shooting at Pittstown State Forest. The Ranger determined two subjects were in possession of multiple illegally possessed non-compliant firearms. The Ranger confiscated the guns at the scene, immediately notified New York State Police, and brought the subjects to the Brunswick barracks. NYSP obtained search warrants for the subjects’ homes and the searches led to the discovery of two 3D printers, multiple lower and upper receivers including 3D printed parts, armorer tools utilized for the assembly of guns, numerous completed firearms, including a ghost gun, multiple boxes of ammunition, body armor, methamphetamines, Psilocybin mushrooms, and U.S. currency.

Overall crime declined by 6 percent across Albany, Rensselaer, and Schenectady Counties during the first nine months of 2023 vs. 2022. During the same timeframe, motor vehicle thefts dropped by 19 percent in Albany County, 2 percent in Rensselaer County, and 13 percent in Schenectady County. Nine months’ of index crime data for 2023 as reported by police agencies in the 57 counties outside of New York City are available online, as are gun violence data for 2023 as reported by GIVE agencies to the state Division of Criminal Justice Services.

Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado said, “Governor Hochul continues to make New York State safer and stronger. From record investments to new initiatives, the Governor is bolstering public safety and ensuring a justice system that works fairly and for all. This year’s proposed budget sustains our nation-leading efforts to reduce gun violence while including new resources to tackle persistent property crime, which has affected too many New Yorkers in recent years. I, and the entire DCJS team, share the unparalleled commitment to safety and justice, and look forward to working hand in hand with our law enforcement and community partners.”

New York State Police Acting Superintendent Steven G. James said, “The State Police remains focused on working with our law enforcement partners at the local, state and federal level to fight gun violence and the crimes that are impacting the quality of life within our neighborhoods. We appreciate the continued support of Governor Hochul. We are making progress on removing illegal guns from our communities and reducing gun violence statewide. No single law enforcement agency can solve these problems. It must continue to be a combined effort across communities.”

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "DEC Forest Rangers are highly trained police officers who work hand-in-hand with law enforcement like New York State Police on missions that range from wildland searches and fighting wildfires to enforcement of New York State’s stringent weapons possession laws. This encounter with people illegally target shooting on State lands demonstrates how an alert Forest Ranger can help make New York a safer place. I applaud DEC’s Forest Rangers and the New York State Police for helping ensure dangerous guns are removed from our communities."

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