Less than a month after a member of Albany mayor Kathy Sheehan's extended family was shot to death in a gang dispute on a city street, Gov. Cuomo is unveiling plans for more resources to fight gang violence and the heroin epidemic, which he called "a twin scourge" in New York state.
In an appearance at the Washington Ave. branch of the Albany Public Library, a site described as "neutral ground" by Sheehan, the governor announced more money to be allocated for several anti-gang and anti-violence programs.
Specifically, Cuomo is promising $840 thousand this year for a program that uses data to target "hot spots" in the city, and directs resources to those areas.
He's also allocating $350 thousand for a community anti-gun violence program that seeks a way to intervene "before the bullet comes out of the gun."
The state is also investing $7 million for heroin-opioid reduction efforts.
And, Cuomo says more State Police will be patrolling some of the city's most "active" areas. He's promising an intensity "like never seen before," and says it will make a difference.
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