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The Syracuse Police Department announced a five percent decrease in the city’s overall crime rate over the past year, highlighting a continuing downward trend in criminal activity. Over the last five years, Syracuse has seen a 28 percent reduction in crime, according to the department’s newly released data.
Officials pointed to the department’s efforts to remove illegal guns from city streets as a key factor in improved public safety. So far this year, officers have seized 47 illegal weapons, compared to 40 by this time last year, demonstrating a growing focus on gun enforcement.
These local results come at a time when New York State is reporting broader reductions in gun violence. According to recent data from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, shooting incidents involving injury dropped by 14 percent statewide in the first seven months of 2025. In Syracuse, shootings with injuries declined by 10 percent during the same period.
Governor Kathy Hochul attributed these improvements to increased state investments and initiatives such as the Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) program. The FY26 Enacted Budget continues this effort, providing $347 million for gun violence prevention programs and record-level funding for GIVE for the third year in a row.
State Police Superintendent Steven G. James emphasized that "disrupting the flow of illegal guns" remains a priority for law enforcement agencies across New York. The GIVE initiative supports collaboration between local police and community organizations to further reduce violence.
Looking ahead, the city and state will continue to monitor crime trends, invest in law enforcement and community programs, and prioritize efforts to take illegal firearms off the streets.