Shooting incidents drop across parts of Long Island, state data shows
Shooting incidents in communities participating in the state’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination, or GIVE, initiative dropped 19% during the first half of 2026, compared to the same period last year.
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Gun violence has declined in several parts of Long Island during the first half of 2026, according to newly released New York state data.
The Village of Hempstead has seen one of the most dramatic improvements. State data shows there have been zero shootings in the village so far in 2026, compared with four shootings during the same January-to-June period last year. A decade ago, the village recorded over 30 shootings.
Village leaders and community organizations say the decline is the result of a combination of targeted policing and violence prevention efforts.
SNUG, which stands for "Should Never Use Guns" and is part of the Family & Children Association, has worked in Hempstead to reduce gun violence through community outreach, conflict mediation and early intervention. The organization focuses on connecting with young people, resolving disputes before they escalate and providing educational, employment and mentoring opportunities.
Harris said keeping young people engaged is one of the most effective ways to prevent violence.
"Education resources, employment resources. A lot of community events. A lot of the things we do here at SNUG keep the participants engaged. The more you keep them busy with positive things, the more likely they are to not involve themselves in violent activity,” says Harris
He added that creating safe spaces for young people remains a priority.
"You want to make it comfortable and safe for the young individuals that commute to and from school. You want them to come outside and have fun and restore that good feeling in the community,” he says.
Hempstead Mayor Waylyn Hobbs Jr. credited both the Village of Hempstead Police Department and community organizations such as SNUG for helping make local neighborhoods safer.
"The officers that work with the GIVE program have removed 19 illegal guns from the Village of Hempstead. Those are 19 illegal guns that can do damage on our streets," Hobbs said.
Elsewhere on Long Island, the numbers paint a mixed picture.
In Suffolk County, the state data shows shootings involving a person being struck declined from 20 incidents during the first half of 2025 to 15 in 2026. Separately, Suffolk County police reported responding to 17 shooting incidents in 2025 compared with 12 during the same period this year. Shooting deaths also dropped from seven to two.
Nassau County moved in the opposite direction. State figures show shootings involving a person being struck increased from two incidents in 2025 to four in 2026. Police data also shows shooting incidents doubled from two to four, while shooting deaths increased from one to two.
