The Challenge

• Statewide, violent crime has dropped 33% in the past ten years. Unfortunately, many upstate communities have not fully shared in this trend. Between 1990 and 2006, the balance of crimes committed in the state has shifted from 63% in NYC and 37% in the rest of the state, to 43% in NYC and 57% in the rest of the state.
• Between 1999 and 2006, the number of violent crimes reported outside of New York City has increased 14%.
• When Governor Spitzer took office, he committed to supporting law enforcement and reducing crime. In response to upstate’s unacceptable crime increases during the last few years, the administration increased funding for Operation IMPACT by 14%. IMPACT uses “intelligence-led” policing to focus resources on areas of need, and combines resources and intelligence to effectively analyze and solve crimes.
• Last year, IMPACT reduced crime in upstate and Long Island communities. In the first eleven months of 2007, IMPACT resulted in a 10% reduction in violent crime and an 18% reduction in violent crimes involving a firearm in the 17 IMPACT sites.

Our Approach

• 200 State Troopers will be re-deployed to the most crime-intensive areas to augment Operation IMPACT. Upon the request of Mayors and Police Chiefs, the Governor will make these 200 Troopers available to assist in fighting upstate urban crime. The Troopers will work with local police to reduce gang activity, combat gun violence and conduct forensic processing of crime scenes.
• The Governor’s Executive Budget will continue to support IMPACT through investments in crime mapping and technology.

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