Orange, Ulster, and Dutchess are among 17 counties in New York who participate in the state's Gun Involved Violence Elimination Initiative, and as a result more monies have been made available to target gun violence and save lives in the Hudson Valley.

According to the Office of the Governor, Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced that law enforcement agencies in 17 counties participating in the state’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination initiative will receive $13.3 million. Now entering its second year, the initiative requires the use of proven strategies to reduce shootings and firearm-related homicides in communities served by 20 police departments in those counties.

Among the communities that GIVE funding targets are those served by the Kingston, Middletown, Newburgh, and Poughkeepsie police departments. In addition, District attorneys’ offices, probation departments and sheriffs’ offices in the 17 counties, which report 87 percent of the violent crime outside of New York City, also receive funding through the initiative, according to the governor's press release.

In Orange County, The Newburgh (city) and Middletown police departments and District Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office and Probation Department will share $753,379. In Ulster County, The Kingston Police Department and District Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office and Probation Department will share $179,175. In Dutchess County, The Poughkeepsie (city) Police Department and District Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office and Probation Department will share $341,211. Each county will also receive funding for Hot-spots policing, focused deterrence and CPTED.

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