Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday announced $4.5 million in new state funding that will go toward addressing lingering public safety issues in the Central New York region.

“My number one priority, which has been my number one priority for the last three years as your governor, is to keep people safe," Hochul said at a Friday press conference in Syracuse. 

According to the city of Syracuse, property crime is up by more than 13% this year compared to this time last year. Data from earlier this year shows that’s been a trend since the COVID-19 pandemic. Hochul said the state is working to bring crime down overall by tailoring to community needs, rather than a one-size fits all approach. 

“We’re talking about a surge in larcenies, break-ins and youth crime," she said. "It’s really been traumatic in this community.”

The governor detailed how these types of crimes have gone down in other parts of our state, notably car thefts in Buffalo, but that hasn’t translated to Syracuse. The city has seen car thefts increase by more than 20%, with most of the damage done by adolescents. 

Hochul said the new state funding will be used to target youth crime and recidivism. 

Two-million dollars will be split between 11 local organizations that provide mental health support, crisis management and youth employment opportunities to at-risk youth; $1.5 million will go to the city of Syracuse for a new program that is designed to help youth who have committed crimes develop career skills; and the Onondaga County Probation Department is receiving $1 million to help enhance its diversion programs and services. 

“It’s all about finding out what is missing. Is there anything else we can and should be doing?" said Hochul. "Part of it comes down to funding and making sure we have the resources allocated for the specific challenges a community has. Until we ensure that every young person has a better path, and that our law enforcement is supported and our community organizations are all part of the solution, until that time when it's all working that we want it to, we’re not going anywhere.”