Hochul announces 'extraordinary' double-digit drop in Long Island crime

GLEN COVE, N.Y. (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) -- Shootings and overall reported crime have dropped by double digits on Long Island this year, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday, calling the decreases "extraordinary."

According to the governor's office, there was a 44% decline in shooting incidents with injury reported by the Nassau County, Suffolk County and Hempstead police departments from Jan. 1 to June 30, compared to the same period in 2023, or 22 shootings vs. 39 shootings. The statewide average was a 27% decline during that same period.

Preliminary data reported to the state by police and sheriff's departments in Nassau and Suffolk also shows a 15% drop in index crimes, a 4% decline in violent crime and a 16% reduction in property crimes during the first quarter of 2024, the governor's office said, pointing to a "notable" 17% drop in larcenies and 14% decrease in motor vehicle thefts.

"Since I became governor in 2021, shootings on Long Island are down 47%," the governor said from Glen Cove. "Those who like to look at the history books, think about this: last year shootings on Long Island reached their lowest point in recorded history. On top of that last year record, we're down another 44% this year from then. I mean that's extraordinary."

Joined by Rep. Tom Suozzi and other local officials, the governor said the drop was not by chance but thanks to a "concerted effort" from Albany and local officials, including police officers. She said the efforts will continue as part of the state's Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) Initiative.

"I'm here to celebrate the collective efforts, but we also know that one victim of gun violence is too many, and that means we still have work to do," Hochul said.

The governor said her office and the New York Legislature secured a record $51 million investment for public safety on Long Island for the GIVE cycle running from July 1 to June 30, 2025. This includes $1.4 million for Nassau County agencies $1.3 million for Suffolk County agencies, as well as $21.1 million in one-time capital funding to 39 police departments and sheriffs’ offices.