Governor Kathy Hochul visited Rochester to emphasize a $24 million investment aimed at upgrading law enforcement technology and equipment for police departments and sheriffs’ offices throughout Monroe County. During her visit, Hochul toured the Rochester Police Department’s command room, where new blue light cameras—acquired through the state’s Law Enforcement Technology grant program—are monitored. The technology grants are part of a broader effort to support public safety initiatives, including the Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative.
Governor Hochul stated, “Keeping New Yorkers safe is my top priority – and that means ensuring New York’s law enforcement officers are best equipped to protect our communities. By investing critical funds for technology enhancements for police departments statewide, we’re ensuring law enforcement has the tools they need to fight crime and protect every corner of the state.”
The Rochester Police Department received $10 million from the grant program for camera upgrades and other advanced technology. In total, ten agencies in Monroe County received $24 million through the Law Enforcement Technology (LE Tech) grant program. Statewide, 378 police departments and sheriffs’ offices were awarded $127 million through this initiative.
Recent data show an 18 percent decline in overall crime in Monroe County during the first eight months of 2025 compared to the same period last year. All seven index crimes—murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft—declined across the county and in Rochester. Motor vehicle thefts in Rochester dropped by 68 percent when comparing January through August 2025 to the same months in 2023.
Rochester has also seen significant reductions in gun violence. Since Governor Hochul took office, there has been a 57 percent decrease in shooting incidents with injury, a 60 percent reduction in the number of individuals shot, and a 56 percent drop in firearm-related homicides when comparing January through September 2025 to the same period in 2021.
Governor Hochul also highlighted the Monroe Crime Analysis Center, which is part of a network funded by the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) and serves multiple counties. The center handled over 28,000 service requests last year to help police agencies address and prevent crime more effectively.
New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado said, “Governor Hochul’s investments in technology are giving law enforcement the tools they need to work smarter, respond faster, and strengthen community safety. These upgrades are improving coordination and efficiency across Monroe County and beyond. The Monroe Crime Analysis Center is a powerful example of how innovation and partnership can turn data into action and help build safer neighborhoods across New York State.”
Representative Joseph Morelle added, “Every family deserves the peace of mind that they and their children are safe wherever they go in our community. As Vice Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, I’m working to ensure law enforcement at every level has the resources they need to protect and serve our families. I’m grateful to Governor Hochul and our local partners here in Rochester for their continued commitment to keeping our neighborhoods secure.”
State Senator Jeremy Cooney stated, “It’s my pleasure to welcome Governor Hochul to Rochester and thank her for her continued leadership on public safety. With new state-of-the-art technology, this is a huge win for officers across Monroe County to ensure they have the tools they need to keep our communities safe.”
Assemblymember Harry Bronson commented, “Public safety and security for our families and residents remains a top priority. We’ve seen real results due to significant investments like the $10 million secured by the state for LE-TECH. This technology, alongside the hard work of law enforcement, is resulting in a significant downward trend in crime and violence at all levels. I am thankful for the leadership of Governor Hochul to address public safety. We still have work to do to ensure public safety for our residents and neighborhoods, but working in partnership with Governor Hochul, Mayor Evans, RPD and all of law enforcement, as well as my colleagues in the State Legislature, we will continue fighting to make Rochester a safe place for our families and businesses.”
Assemblymember Jen Lunsford said, “Year after year we have watched crime decrease here in Monroe County, and throughout New York State, thanks to thoughtful investments just like this one from Governor Hochul. Ensuring that law enforcement has the funding and resources necessary to keep our communities safe is a key component of our public safety strategy and I am glad to see us continue those investments this year.”
City of Rochester Mayor Malik Evans noted, “It is invaluable to cities across the state to have a governor who prioritizes public safety as much as we do. I want to commend Gov. Hochul for making this important investment in public safety technology and thank her for directing this significant funding to the Rochester Police Department.”
Monroe County Executive Adam J. Bello remarked, “Public safety depends not only on the courage and dedication of our police officers and sheriff’s deputies, but also on our commitment to invest in the innovative tools and technology that help them prevent and solve crimes. I thank Governor Hochul for prioritizing these critical investments in public safety and for supporting the men and women who serve our community with courage, professionalism, and dignity every day.”
Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter said, “This investment is second to none. With the Governor’s support and DCJS trust, we’re turning our vision into reality; making Monroe County the most technologically advanced public safety community in New York State. This partnership is helping us build a first-of-its-kind Real Time Crime Center and a regional network that connects every law enforcement agency across the County. Through the addition of MCSO body-worn cameras, in-car cameras, license plate readers, and drones as first responders, we are putting our deputies and officers on the cutting edge of modern policing.”
Monroe County District Attorney Brian Green added,“Over the past two decades, advancements in technology have transformed the way criminal cases are prosecuted. Today, we build cases on cell phone data, digital forensics, video evidence, and electronic records. The Rochester Police Department’s commitment to updated and innovative technology helps to ensure strong, high-quality prosecutions for years to come. I want to thank Governor Hochul for continuing to invest in public safety right here in Monroe County.”
The FY26 Enacted Budget continues $347 million in funding secured by Governor Hochul for gun violence prevention programs such as GIVE while supporting additional efforts aimed at improving public safety statewide.
The Division of Criminal Justice Services supports various aspects of New York’s criminal justice system including training professionals; overseeing accreditation; ensuring proper operation of equipment used by local law enforcement; managing grants; analyzing crime data; providing research support; overseeing probation departments; alternatives-to-incarceration programs; and coordinating youth justice policy.
