Council accepts state and federal public-safety grants, including $360,753 GIVE award

The Binghamton City Council on Aug. 27 voted to accept multiple state and federal grants aimed at public-safety efforts, including a New York State gun-involved violence elimination (GIVE) award for $360,753 and several U.S. Department of Justice Edward Byrne JAG grants.

What passed - Introductory resolution R25-53 (GIVE grant) was approved (roll call recorded as 5-1). The amount stated in the meeting was $360,753 and the council noted there is no local match requirement. - Introductory resolution R25-54 (state funding for crisis intervention for emotionally disturbed person responses) was approved by a 4-2 vote. - Introductory resolutions R25-55 and R25-56 (U.S. DOJ Edward Byrne JAG grants for park policing and related public-safety activities) were approved; the roll calls recorded these as 5-1 votes and the grants require no local match.

Discussion highlights Council member Madovetsky, who sponsored several of the resolutions, said the grants provide funding for overtime, personnel and equipment to address firearm-related violence and to support crisis-intervention resources. Some council members and speakers questioned whether law enforcement-led responses are the right approach for mental-health-related crises and urged non-law-enforcement alternatives where appropriate.

Votes and next steps Clerks recorded the votes as: GIVE grant R25-53 (5-1), crisis intervention R25-54 (4-2), DOJ JAG grants R25-55 and R25-56 (each 5-1). Each grant acceptance authorizes the city to receive the funds and administer the programs under the grant terms. The council did not adopt additional local-match requirements for these awards during the meeting.

Context Council discussion noted that these grants have no local match and that some residents and council members remain skeptical that law enforcement-centered strategies are the best response for mental-health crises or park safety absent broader policy changes.