Those living in Niagara Falls have likely noticed the change as gun violence in the city has grown noticeably quieter since the latter half of 2024.
Reports of “shots fired” or gunfire striking homes — both accidental and intentional — had been a regular occurrence throughout the city.
Members of the local chapter of SNUG, a state-supported initiative designed to tamp down on violence involving guns, believe they’ve played a role.
Antoine White, outreach coordinator for the Falls chapter of SNUG, said two recent shooting incidents on the same day on 19th Street were the first such incidents in the city in months. He credits, in part, the work of SNUG members in the community and the work they’re doing to be more proactive in efforts to prevent individuals from using guns to settle their differences.
“We try to canvas this heavily to let our presence be known, to let the community know what we do and why we do what we do and that we are here to help,” White said.
Another effort that appears to be helping is the GIVE initiative — a million-dollar-plus investment in reducing gun violence in Niagara Falls.
GIVE has been credited with producing a two-year drop in incidents of gun violence, including a 37% reduction in shooting incidents in the state in 2024, compared to a five-year average. State officials have also said that the grant funding has led to a record number of illegal firearms seizures.
The most recent GIVE patrol, involving Falls police, with assistance from Niagara County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Niagara County Probation officers, was conducted days after a pair of shooting incidents took place on 19th Street.
The city has received a 2024-25 grant allocation of $1,228,947 as part of a more than $36 million state-wide allocation for the program.
The Falls has also received $500,000 to expand SNUG services under a funding initiative announced by Hochul in April 2022 and the local SNUG chapter opened an office nearly a year later at 1702 Pine Ave.
When the pair of shooting incidents took place at 19th Street and Walnut Avenue on May 11, SNUG members were quick to gather at the site and send the message that violence, specifically violence involving guns, is not acceptable in the 19th Street neighborhood or in any other part of the city.
“A lot of times it is trivial things that tend to escalate and spill over into something that can possibly turn into a fatality,” said Antoine White, outreach coordinator for the Falls chapter of SNUG. “Thank God that within the past year, there haven’t been any fatalities. That’s why we are out here, feet to the pavement and letting it be known that we are here to make a difference, to let it be known that there is something different to do with your life.”
The organization is now also operating in partnership with Community Missions of Niagara Frontier, Inc., with both organizations offering counseling, rapid re-housing, drug treatment and other services out of the missions’ office at 1570 Buffalo Ave.
SNUG’s services are available to people of all ages but are designed to focus on conflict resolution for individuals between the ages of 13 and 25. Each SNUG outreach worker assists six individuals, often young people who may be at risk of violence. Part of the program involves mentoring and providing Falls youngsters with opportunities to enjoy positive experiences outside the city, including Buffalo Bills games, the Erie County Fair and trips to local recreational outlets like Get Air in Tonawanda.
“It helps them see a different way of life,” said Bryant Brown Jr., a program manager with SNUG.
With the weather finally warming, SNUG members say they know they have a lot of work ahead.
For more information about the Niagara Falls chapter of SNUG or services available to residents through the organization, call 716-285-3403, ext. 5422.