NEWBURGH – Violent crime in the City of Newburgh has dropped considerably in recent months and with a new state grant, it is expected to decrease even further.
The State Division of Criminal Justice Services has awarded the city $200,000 to develop a “SNUG” program. SNUG spells GUNS backwards.
Senator James Skoufis (D, Woodbury) secured the funding for the program in the recently adopted state budget.
“This sort of violence – shooting, homicides – these numbers are down over the years, but we need to make sure that they continue to go down, we continue to see that reduction, so that the most basic quality of life matters,” Skoufis said. “Safety is paramount and is prioritized here in the City of Newburgh and this program will help do just that.”
The City of Poughkeepsie is in the second year of the same program and has great success.
RECAP, the Regional Economic Community Action Program, will administer the program similar to how Family Services handles the Poughkeepsie program.
Skoufis explained the program will work with the police department to detect potentially violent acts before they happen and stem violent behavior before it occurs.
Residents who have had brushes with the law in the past and are rehabilitated work with those at risk of being victimized by violent crime in an effort to turn their lives around.
“The Newburgh SNUG funding is significant for our city because we have had a long history of violence in our city’s past,” said Mayor Torrance Harvey.
“This anti-violence program is right on time for Newburgh,” said Police Chief Douglas Solomon.
Danny Hairston coordinates the SNUG program in the City of Poughkeepsie. He attended a Newburgh announcement on Wednesday saying having the program in both communities will assist one another in fighting gun violence.”
Skoufis, who promised additional funding for programs in Newburgh, said the state “has long been missing in action when it comes to assisting the people of Newburgh with basic quality of life matters; residents have historically been left to fend for themselves. Those days are over and this anti-violence funding is the first of many steps I’ve taken to engage the state like it’s never been engaged before.” The SNUG program was operated through a different provider until it was terminated two years ago.
