Shootings involving injury decreased 11% and shooting victims decreased 6% in cities that are part of Tier 2 of the Gun Involved Violence Elimination initiative.

Jamestown bucked the trend.

Trends reported by The Post-Journal throughout 2024 held true through the year’s end. Six of the 14 GIVE Tier 2 cities saw an increase in shooting incidents in 2023, with Jamestown’s four additional shootings the most among the Tier 2 group. Jamestown’s eight shooting incidents was the second-most in the group behind Binghamton’s 10.

Jamestown also saw the biggest increase in shooting victims from 2023 to 2024, going from four victims in 2023 to 10 in 2024. Gun deaths increased from one in 2023 to four in 2024. Both are the largest increases among the Tier 2 group.

Only Binghamton (11) had more shooting victims in the Tier 2 GIVE group than Jamestown’s 10, and Jamestown’s 4 people killed by a firearm in 2024 were the most among the Tier 2 agencies.

STATEWIDE RESULTS

Gov. Kathy Hochul earlier this week touted the success of the GIVE initiative as gun violence declined to its lowest level on record access the state.

Shooting incidents with injury declined 28 percent in 2024 compared to 2023, and the number of individuals injured declined 25 percent, with 238 fewer people harmed by gunfire. The Governor’s Fiscal Year 26 Executive Budget includes $370 million for programs aimed at reducing shootings, including funding for local and state law enforcement initiatives, youth employment programs, and nonprofit organizations that serve and support individuals and families and strengthen communities.

The 28 percent decline reflects 588 shooting incidents with injury reported last year by the 28 police departments participating in GIVE compared to 817 in 2023, and the number of shooting victims decreased by 25 percent (725 v. 963). When the state first began tracking this data in 2006, 17 police departments received funding to reduce shootings and violent crime: Those agencies reported 896 shooting incidents with injury and 1,007 individuals who sustained gunshot wounds. GIVE jurisdictions account for roughly 90 percent of violent crimes involving firearms and 85 percent of violent crime reported outside New York City.

“New Yorkers are safer today than they were yesterday – and that’s because of the tireless efforts of our communities, law enforcement, and partners,” Hochul said. “Gun violence has dropped by 28 percent, meaning 238 fewer people wounded by gunfire in our neighborhoods. But we’re not stopping here. My administration is doubling down on its commitment to reducing violence, supporting our youth, and strengthening our communities – ensuring that all New Yorkers can live in safety and peace.”

GIVE IN JAMESTOWN

Jamestown received $261,315 in 2025 for the GIVE Initiative, according to Mayor Kim Ecklund’s 2025 State of the City address. That money is spent to pay overtime for officers involved in focused enforcement operations, personnel costs for hiring additional staff or supporting current employees, investigative equipment, specialized officer training and community engagement initiatives.

Several agencies throughout Chautauqua County have also received GIVE funding, including the District Attorney’s Office ($298,584), the Sheriff’s Office ($95,815), and the County Probation Department ($26,300).

“In partnership with these agencies, the Jamestown Police Department has significantly bolstered community safety through joint patrols,” Ecklund said in her State of the City address. “This collective effort allows officers from various agencies to collaborate closely with JPD officers, pooling resources, intelligence, and expertise to proactively address crime in high-risk areas. Together, they conduct inspections of parolees and probationers, track emerging crime trends, and focus on locations with heightened criminal activity. These partnerships have not only resulted in multiple arrests but also promoted a more unified approach to law enforcement.”