Newburgh Gun Violence Reduction

PROGRAM ABSTRACT - Project Safe Neighborhoods FY 2021

APPLICANT: THE ROSAMOND GIFFORD CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, Inc.

126 N. Salina Street, Syracuse, New York 13202

PROJECT: Southern District of New York PSN Enforcement Enhancement – Orange County – City of Newburgh

CATEGORY: 1

DISTRICT POPULATION: 5.1 million FEDERAL FUNDS REQUESTED: $173,493

PROJECT PERIOD: October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2024

RESEARCH PARTNER: John Finn Institute for Public Safety

The Southern District of New York (SDNY) comprises approximately 5.1 million people, in a diverse geographic, ethnic, and socio-economic landscape. Gang activity and gun violence continue to be serious threats to public safety in many of our communities. The majority of the district’s community violence stems from drug trafficking and gang activity and in particular disputes between rival crews or gangs.
 

Located in Orange County, the City of Newburgh is one such community in the SNDY facing gang and gun violence and is the proposed target area for SDNY FY21 PSN funds. We would direct funds to hot spots of gun violence within the city. Newburgh is an urban city in Orange County with approximately 28,177 and is 4.8 square miles in size. The City is located only 90 miles north of New York City.  Data and intelligence underscore the selection of Newburgh for PSN support. While the City enjoyed several years of reductions in overall violent crime, gun violence has remained a significant factor.  Gun violence declined for several years and then spiked in 2019 with a 33 percent increase compared to 2018. Group-related violence drives much of the gun violence in the City. Active group members accounting for about 1 percent of the City’s population, but are responsible for 41 percent of the gun involved violent crime in 2019 and 78 percent of the shootings.
 

SDNY proposes to direct PSN funds toward Newburgh to assist the City of Newburgh Police Department and its gang task force partners in their efforts to adopt a strategy that relies on proactive enforcement initiatives that seek to reduce crime, build trust and legitimacy, and enhance the quality of life of residents. The plans outlined in this proposal calls for the majority of funds to go toward law enforcement efforts. All the activities outlined in the proposal directly or indirectly support the gang task.
The John Finn Institute for Public Safety would serve as the research partner on the proposed project. Some key partners include the City of Newburgh PD, the Orange County District Attorney’s office, the Sheriff’s Office, the Orange County Probation Department, members of the Newburgh SNUG program, and now our representative from the USAO