Highlights From New York State FY 2025 Budget: Combating Hate Crimes, Retail Theft Initiatives, Reducing Recidivism

NY State FY2025 Budget Breakdown Series: 

Public Safety

Editor’s note: NY State Senator Scarcella-Spanton recently announced funding for additional cameras to assist with investigations by the District Attorney’s Office.  This funding’s purpose is to reduce crime and increase investigative capabilities.  

From that article: “Recognizing the crucial role of law enforcement in safeguarding communities, Senator Scarcella-Spanton has allocated $100,000 in funding to provide investigative cameras for the District Attorney’s office.”

From Assemblymember Fall:

As New York State enters Fiscal Year 2025, I am delighted to highlight the remarkable advancements we are making in the area of public safety within this budget. This comprehensive plan reaffirms our dedication to creating safe and secure communities for all New Yorkers. Here are some key elements that underline our public safety commitments:

• Retail Theft Initiatives: The budget provides $40.2 million for dedicated Retail Theft Teams within State Police, District Attorneys’ offices, and local law enforcement, with 100 New York State Police personnel focusing on organized retail theft. It also includes a $5 million tax credit to support small businesses in investing in security measures like cameras​.
• Support for District Attorneys: The budget includes $35.8 million in funding for District Attorneys to establish and expand dedicated domestic violence units, along with evidence-based interventions to support victims. These funds will help enhance prosecution efforts and improve services​.
• Combating Hate Crimes: The budget has earmarked $35 million for the Securing Communities Against Hate Grant to protect at-risk sites, including houses of worship and religious schools. The budget also expands the list of offenses eligible to be prosecuted as hate crimes​.
• Gun Violence Prevention: The FY 2025 budget continues the historic investment of $347 million to reduce gun violence through community-based programs. This investment supports law enforcement and nonprofits working to stem gun violence statewide​.

• Reducing Recidivism: The budget allocates $7.1 million to reduce recidivism and improve reentry into society. This includes enhanced supervision for parolees, expanded housing opportunities, and increased support for educational programs in correctional facilities​.
• Domestic Violence Support: Alongside the funding for District Attorneys’ offices, the budget allocates $5 million for emergency expenses to support domestic violence victims​.
• Modernizing Emergency Services: A total of $50 million is allocated for upgrading emergency services, including improved communication systems and disaster response capabilities​.
• Protecting Retail Workers: In addition to the enhanced penalties for organized retail theft, the FY25 budget includes stricter penalties for assaulting retail workers by elevating it to a felony, offering greater protection to frontline staff​.

These initiatives signify our comprehensive approach to enhancing public safety in New York. By addressing critical areas such as retail theft, domestic violence, gun violence, and hate crimes, we aim to create a safer environment for all New Yorkers. I am committed to ensuring that our public safety agencies are equipped with the resources they need to protect and serve every community effectively.

Banner Image: Asm. Fall at budget meetings. Image Credit – Asm. Fall

Assemlymember Sam Pirozzolo

Sam Pirozzolo is a native Staten Islander. He is a frequent contributor to the Staten Islander, and is well-known and loved by people on both the Right and Left, in his North Shore community. Sam brings people together, instead of dividing, by speaking common sense and analyzing our island's, and city's, issues, with intelligence and concern for all. Sam Pirozzolo was elected to the New York State Assembly on November 8, 2022. The 63rd Assembly District represents parts of Richmond County. Sam has successfully operated his family’s optical practice for 33 years. He is the past president of Community Education Council 31 where he served for seven years. Some of his most notable accomplishments include the creation of a Gifted and Talented program for middle school students, the recommendation for the NYC Department of Education to hire retired police officers as school resource officers, and the successful fight for the immediate cleanup of toxic PCBs leaking from the light fixtures in school classrooms. As an education advocate, Sam has participated in historic litigation that led to the return of more than $4 billion to New York public schools. He also fought to ensure that co-located charter schools receive the same capital funding as their host public schools. While serving in the Legislature, Sam will work to support law enforcement officers with proper funding, fix broken bail and parole policies, and help small businesses grow and thrive in a stronger, more resilient economy.