Nick Muscavage

Albany Bureau

ALBANY -- New York is doling out $13.3 million in grants to local communities to fight gun violence.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Thursday that the money will go to 17 counties who participate in the state's Gun Involved Violence Elimination, or GIVE, initiative, which provides funding for law enforcement training and personnel.

"We've worked tirelessly to combat gun violence across this state and prevent the senseless tragedies it causes," Cuomo said in a statement. "The GIVE initiative gives law enforcement agencies the resources necessary for fighting gun violence in our streets, and helps create a safer and stronger New York for all."

The 17 counties enrolled in the initiative represent 85 percent of violent crime in the state outside of New York City, he said.

This is the second year of the grant’s two-year contract; last year the counties received the same amount of grants, which mostly go to police departments, district attorney offices, sheriff offices, and probation departments.

Of the 17 counties, Erie County will receive the largest grant worth $1.75 million, followed by Monroe County with $1.7 million and Westchester County with $1.2 million.

The police departments receiving assistance include the Buffalo Police Department in Erie County, Rochester Police Department in Monroe County and the Yonkers and Mount Vernon police departments in Westchester County.

Binghamton Police Department and other authorities in Broome County will receive $393,944, while Poughkeepsie city police and authorities in Dutchess County will receive $341,211.

Ulster County authorities will be granted $179,175 and Rockland County authorities will receive $77,000.