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GOVERNOR DEPLOYS 100 NEW STATE POLICE INVESTIGATORS TO GUN TRAFFICKING TASK FORCES THROUGHOUT NEW YORK STATE
Makes Announcement on Heels of Successful Special Session; State Police, Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Investigators Partner with Local Law Enforcement to Remove Illegal Guns From New York’s Streets
Governor George E. Pataki today announced that more than $4.5 million in new funding, and 100 new State Police Investigators will be dedicated to support a new, expanded federal, state and local police initiative that will help remove illegal guns from New York’s streets.
Today’s announcement comes the day after the Governor called the Legislature back into Special Session to pass two important crime-fighting bills. Yesterday, the Governor signed both bills into law: one that has increased penalties for those who injure or kill police officers, and another that has toughened current laws to keep illegal guns off our streets.
“The shocking murders of two New York City Police Officers over the past few weeks have reminded us of the devastation that gun violence can have on our communities and the brave men and women we ask to protect us,” Governor Pataki said. “This initiative, coupled with the gun trafficking legislation I signed into law yesterday, will be an invaluable tool for removing illegal guns from our streets and making our neighborhoods safer. We know that our crime-fighting strategies are most effective when our federal, state and local officers work side-by-side. Whether it has been through Operation IMPACT, New York’s 100 Most Wanted Program or Operation Rolling Thunder -- these valuable partnerships have been responsible for arresting violent criminals, capturing hundreds of dangerous fugitives and preventing crimes in almost every community.”
“Eleven years ago, New York was one of the most dangerous states in the nation. Today, we are now the safest large state and the sixth safest state overall. This would not have been possible without the dedication and commitment of our law enforcement professionals who risk their lives everyday to keep us safe,” the Governor added.
New York State Director of Criminal Justice Chauncey G. Parker said, “For more than a decade Governor Pataki has been spearheading tough, common sense criminal justice legislation and providing critical resources that give police officers and law enforcement officials the tools they need to keep New Yorkers safe. With this new initiative, Governor Pataki has once again ensured that our law enforcement is given every possible resource the state has to offer and more. In the past 30 days, we have made tremendous strides in criminal justice--expanding the number of samples that may be collected for inclusion in the DNA Databank to implementing the newest fugitive apprehension strategy Operation Rolling Thunder to calling a special legislative session so that laws can be enacted to keep illegal guns off our streets. These newest initiatives add to the State’s already unparallel crime fighting record and will help make us even safer.”
Beginning today, investigative officers from the New York State Police and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will partner with local law enforcement officials in cities across the State to remove illegal guns from communities plagued by violence and drug trafficking. The officers will be fully deployed over the next two weeks to communities with the highest rates of gun violence in across the State.
In addition to targeting the illegal trafficking of firearms within the State, the investigators will be deputized federal agents and will focus on the illegal transport of guns into New York from states with less stringent laws, which continues to be a growing problem. According to a study done by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, 8 out of 10 guns used in New York City crimes were originally sold outside of New York State.
William G. McMahon, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York Field Division, said, “ATF looks forward to expanding our partnership with the New York State Police in combating illegal gun trafficking and gun violence in New York State. These State Troopers will bring with them unrivaled investigative experience along with the tenacity to target those criminals who would use firearms in our communities. All law enforcement will be better served by combining the unique investigative resources these agencies bring to the table with the primary goal of making our State safer.”
New York State Police Superintendent Wayne E. Bennett said, “Our experience has shown an increase in the prevalence of firearms in the hands of drug traffickers. This combination is exacting a high toll on our law enforcement community, as well as on the general public, including many innocent bystanders. Although our enforcement efforts are hampered by the lack of strict gun laws in states from which many of these crime guns originate, yesterday New York instituted stronger legislation and today, we are dramatically enhancing law enforcement programs which will better address the extreme threat posed by the possession of these guns by these criminals.”
Of the $4.5 million announced today, $4 million will be used to pay for the dedication of the 100 State Police Investigators being made available today, with an additional $500,000 being earmarked for local law enforcement and prosecutors. In addition to the funds being made available today, Governor Pataki will recommend an additional $18 million to support this effort going forward, with $2 million dedicated to local law enforcement partners.
Crime in New York State is at its lowest levels since statewide crime reporting began nearly 40 years ago. In addition to being the safest large State in the nation—since 1994, overall crime in New York has declined by 45 percent, violent crime has declined by 52 percent, murder has declined by 56 percent and motor vehicle theft has dropped by 68 percent. Last year 90,519 fewer violent crimes occurred in New York than in 1994. In fact, if the level of violent crime in 1994 had gone unchanged over the course of the last ten years, more than a half-million more New Yorkers could have become victims of violent crime.
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all those investigators are appointments. I don't see a need for it. If the courts would simply enforce the laws that are on the books there would be no need for the 100 investigators. In the city of Bflo. people are caught daily with illegal guns. The judges give them probation or acd's. It is a joke. Make it a minimum 2 yr state prison sentence if you are caught with an unregistered weapon. That would send the right message. Until then...it is all BS.
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