Understaffing at the Ithaca Police Department is behind the City of Ithaca declining to participate in the Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative. GIVE is a statewide strategy created by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (NYDCJS) to reduce gun violence and shootings in New York State.
“It’s a real opportunity that the city, unfortunately, will not be taking advantage of as far as I know,” Ithaca Common Councilperson George McGonigal said at Tuesday’s meeting of the Tompkins County legislature. “The city police force is so understaffed, they don’t have time to do it.”
“That’s not a definite No, but that’s what it looks like,” McGonigal continued.
“If I remember correctly there was funding in there to pay for staffing, I thought?” Tompkins County Legislator Anne Koreman asked.
“I think that’s correct. It’s the time that the staff has, which is no time. Everybody is on the road. That’s what the Chief of Police has explained to us. He could probably answer that question,” McGonigal said. John Joly is currently the acting Chief of the Ithaca Police department.
GIVE provides funding and resources to law enforcement agencies and community organizations to help prevent gun violence and promote public safety. Funds from GIVE could also be made available to the Tompkins County Sheriff Department, District Attorney’s office in addition to the Ithaca Police Department.
A major component of GIVE is enhanced probation for individuals convicted of gun crime.
The GIVE Probation Program is designed to provide intensive supervision, support, and services to individuals on probation who have been convicted of gun-related offenses. The program aims to reduce recidivism and prevent future gun violence by addressing the underlying issues that contribute to criminal behavior, such as substance abuse, mental health, and employment. The program also involves collaboration between probation officers, law enforcement, and community-based organizations to provide a comprehensive approach to public safety.
This enhanced form of probation would require additional staffing, with funding provided by NY state through the GIVE initiative.
Tompkins County saw a large increase in gun violence in 2020 to 2021. This increase was cited as the reason for NYDCJS inviting Tompkins County & Ithaca to participate in GIVE. This trend has continued into 2023, with a shooting being reported on Floral Avenue at about 5:45 PM during Tuesday’s meeting of the legislature, which began at 5:30 PM.
Governor Hochul has proposed a doubling of funding for GIVE in her 2024 budget. Discussion of the GIVE initiative at the March meeting of the Tompkins County Public Safety Committee indicated NY state was “really anxious to get applications” and “very interested in pushing money out the door very fast,” according to Legislator Rich John.
John also discussed a crucial meeting of stakeholders regarding the GIVE initiative that occurred via Zoom and at the Sheriff’s department in late February. The Ithaca Police Department failed to send a representative to the meeting. At the March 22nd meeting of the Ithaca Community Police Board, Deputy Chief Monticello cited a scheduling issue for the lack of attendance by the department.
At the March meeting of the Ithaca Community Police Board, Monticello reiterated that without the city’s cooperation, the GIVE program could not move forward.
Members of local government, District Attorney Matthew Van Houten, probation officials and Sheriff Derek Osborne were seemingly hopeful for the initiative’s ability to curb gun violence.
“I believe we should be doing everything we can to get at it, and this would give us some resources to do that. So. More to come there, ” John said.