Tonawanda, N.Y. (WBEN) - New York Gov. Kathy Hochul paid a visit to the Town of Tonawanda Police Department on Monday to highlight more than $19 million in state investments that are modernizing law enforcement technology and equipment across Western New York’s police agencies.
The visit included a tour and demonstration, featuring the department’s state-of-the-art technology purchased with the state’s law enforcement technology grants. This included a new 3D scanner to document crime scenes and accidents, virtual reality training system, and new communications equipment.
Distributed to 378 police departments and Sheriffs’ Offices statewide, the $127 million is delivering results by improving officer safety, protecting New Yorkers and strengthening operations.
The Tonawanda Police Department received more than $700,000, allowing the agency to purchase state-of-the-art headsets for the SWAT team to enhance communication, upgraded technology for patrol vehicles, and a drone and new body cameras. Additionally, grant funding was used to obtain four Axon virtual reality bundles — reality-based training scenarios to trigger similar stress responses to those an officer may encounter in the field — as well as a 3D scanner to document and reconstruct accident scenes and crime scenes, and a crash data recorder or to recover data from the vehicle’s black box.
"Law enforcement officers are on the frontlines of keeping New York communities safe. That is why we’re investing in enhanced technology and equipment that enables them to do their jobs efficiently, effectively, and safely," said Gov. Hochul on Monday. "With the purchase of top-of-the-line tools, police and local law enforcement officers are better equipped to keep themselves and all New Yorkers safe from harm."
With help of Gov. Hochul's investments in public safety across the state, crime rates are down compared to a year ago across Western New York, including:
- Index crime fell by 13%, murders dropped 23% and property crime is down 14% in Erie County.
- Index crime is down 11%, violent crime is down 36%, property crime is down 9% and motor vehicle theft is down 46% in the Town of Tonawanda.
- Shootings in the City of Buffalo are down 22%, and the number of shooting victims is down 31%..
These technology investments and state-supported efforts in Western New York come as the region faces funding cuts to public safety emergency preparedness from the Federal government. Each year, New York State administers approximately $2.6 million worth of counter terrorism grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the Western New York region.
The grants this year — FY2025 — have been cut by 40%, or a nearly $1 million cut to law enforcement and public safety in the Western New York region.
The FY26 Enacted Budget maintained $347 million in funding secured by Gov. Hochul for gun violence prevention programs, including GIVE, and supports additional initiatives to improve public safety, expand support for victims and survivors of crime and strengthen communities.