Syracuse Gun Violence Enhancement

PROGRAM ABSTRACT  - Project Safe Neighborhoods FY 2022

APPLICANT: THE ROSAMOND GIFFORD CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, Inc.
126  N. Salina Street, Syracuse, New York   13202

PROJECT:  Syracuse Gun Violence Reduction Enhancement

CATEGORY: 2

DISTRICT POPULATION:  3.4 million

FEDERAL FUNDS REQUESTED:  $159,499

PROJECT PERIOD:  October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2025

RESEARCH PARTNER: The John Finn Institute for Public Safety, Inc.

The Syracuse PSN Strategy Committee proposes to continue the evolution of the City’s gang and gun reduction strategies. We will direct funds to amplify Project Trinity and to support enforcement activities of the Gang Violence Task Force. Project Trinity is a phased prevention and intervention case management program that has operated in Syracuse, NY since 2018 in response to increasing juvenile gang and gun crime. Trinity serves youth, (17 and under), who are at risk of or are already involved in violent crimes or gang association and who are therefore at risk for gun crime or being a victim of gun violence. It provides intensive case management to them and their families to promote pro-social behavior and curb gang attachment. During the initial intake meeting (normally at their residence), the case manager (The Salvation Army) explains the Trinity program to youth and their parent(s)/guardian(s) and arranges another appointment (Custom Notification) prior to formal registration. The FY 2022 grant funds directed toward Prevention and Intervention will go to the Onondaga County Probation Department to support its involvement in Custom Notifications and to support enforcement activities of the Gang Violence Task Force.

From 2019 to 2020, gun crime in Syracuse (N=1003) grew by 47%. Despite decreases between 2020 and 2021 (N=1,003 and N=797, respectively), the numbers remain above the 2018-2019 average. In 2021, shootings with injury or fatality were above the 2018-2019 average and 81% of gun homicides were gang/group related. A Central New York Crime Analysis Center (CNYCAC) analysis indicated that gun crime is driven by people involved in groups/gangs, occur in hotspots, involve Multiple Use Firearms, and are highly related to drug trafficking/illicit markets. Another recent analysis of gang/group violence connected after-hours party/bar events in Onondaga County with gun violence patterns.

The PSN Strategy Committee oversees Onondaga County’s gun and gang violence initiatives. Agencies represented include the Gifford Foundation (funding), the Finn Institute (research), Syracuse Police Department, Onondaga County Probation, the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of NY, the Salvation Army, the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, and the City of Syracuse.