Senator Mark Grisanti (R, I-60) today announced that the state Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) has selected the City of Buffalo and the City of Niagara Falls police departments to each receive funding as a part of Operation IMPACT to target violent and gun crime and domestic violence. Operation IMPACT awarded $13 million to 17 counties with priority given to those jurisdictions with the highest volume of crime.
Locally, police departments and the District Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office and Probation Department as well as state and federal agencies including Parole, NY State Police and the United States Marshals all partner to form Operation IMPACT. The grants are awarded to fight, reduce and prevent crime through the analysis of data and trends, development and sharing of intelligence and targeted enforcement efforts. Buffalo Police Department has been granted $1,494,500 and Niagara Falls Police Department will receive $611,900. Both counties saw an increase in funding over last year’s award.
“This funding through Operation IMPACT provides the resources so that those tasked with fighting crime across all levels of local government can create intelligence driven policies and strategies to address persistent crime. Not only are these grants welcome during these cash strapped times but they can make a huge difference in the safety and well being of the citizens in both Buffalo and Niagara Falls,” said Senator Mark Grisanti (R-60). ”
In 2011, the total number of crimes reported by the 17 primary police departments that participate in Operation IMPACT was 109,233 which were the lowest recorded in 10 years. Last year, IMPACT jurisdictions experienced a 3.8 percent reduction in crime, with decreases reported in every crime category except burglary, when compared to 2010. Violent crimes were down 6 percent and property crimes were down 4 percent.
The FBI and the state monitor overall crime trends and give law enforcement a tool to gauge their effectiveness and drive decision making about staffing and day-to-day operations. The seven crimes indexed include violent crimes like murder, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault as well as property crimes like burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft.
