Governor Cuomo Announces $20 Million To Combat MS-13 On LI

BRENTWOOD, NY - Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the that New York is investing $20 million in new initiatives to combat MS-13 gang activity on Long Island during a press conference in Brentwood on Monday.

These initiatives are the part of the latest effort by Cuomo combat gangs like MS-13 in Brentwood.

Cuomo also announced an additional $6.6 million in grants was awarded earlier this year to help combat gang activity and prevent young people from falling prey to gang recruiters. This brings the total investment committed to combat gang activity on Long Island to more than $45 million.

"MS-13 is a scourge that has taken too many young lives and affected too many innocents," Cuomo said. "Public safety is job one, and every child, every parent, has to know that we are protecting their life, and their liberty. Any group, any thug that would kill children, that is a public safety risk like no other, and we're going to respond with the most sophisticated, coordinated public safety response that we have had."

As part of the initiative, the state will be providing $15 million in capital funding to built a new community hub in Brentwood which will provide social services, as well as recreational and educational opportunities for the community.

Suffolk County will partner with the Town of Islip to begin a 90-day community-based planning process to figure out where the facility will be located as well what amenities and services will be made available to the community.

Facility amenities may range from flexible office and counseling space for community-based organizations offering educational, vocational, and mental health services to performing arts spaces, soccer and other athletic facilities, as well as after-school and evening youth programs.

Potential development sites to be assessed by the community include a 12-acre site at Brentwood State Park, as well as several municipally owned parcels.

Once a site is chosen, the design is expected to be completed in six months and construction in 15 months.

In addition, $2.5 million will be dedicated to improving park safety through the installation of new lighting and surveillance cameras, and $1 million will be used for new surveillance cameras and other law enforcement technology to assist Suffolk County Police.

Law enforcement has identified parks as the primary grounds used by gangs like MS-13 to recruit, congregate, and commit violent crimes.

Over the past few years, the bodies of over a dozen gang-related homicide victims have been found in or around parks and other wooded areas.

"The gang violence happening in communities on Long Island has gone on far too long," Assembly Member Phil Ramos said. "These investments will not only reestablish a level of safety for all residents, it will encourage young New Yorkers to engage in more after-school activities and take advantage of new job training opportunities, helping to curb gang recruitment in the long term.

As a result, Cuomo announced New York will invest $2.5 million in safety upgrades in high-traffic state and local parks, including Brentwood State Park, as well as Roberto Clemente Park and other local parks in the Brentwood area.

Upgrades will include spending $500,000 to install over 225 new lights and 10 new survelliance cameras at Brentwood State Park as well as $2 million to install 500 lights and 100 camera at county and local parks.

In addition, the State Police will work with law enforcement partners, including the State Park Police and local police departments, to establish dedicated patrols in key parks that have seen MS-13 activity.

Finally, $1 million will be spent to support apprenticeship programs that teach at-risk youth both job and life skills, as well as $500,000 to strengthen mental health and social services programs across Long Island.

"The activity of violent gangs like MS13 that is currently threatening our communities on Long Island is unacceptable, and today we are sending a clear message that we will not allow violent criminals to threaten the safety of our residents," Suffolk County Legislator Monica Martinez said. "The security of our streets, our neighborhoods and our communities is our top priority, and these significant investments will put us one step closer to ending this violence once and for all."

"With the horrific shootings and lives lost across the country, we're committed to ensuring the safety of all New Yorkers," Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul said. "We're investing millions of dollars in programs and resources to help end the gang violence on Long Island that is tragically affecting our communities. We will not tolerate any form of hate or violence in our state, and we will hold the people who harm others accountable."

Image via Governor Cuomo's office