Syracuse City Council Budget Hearing for Mayor's Office to Reduce Gun Violence - April 21, 2026

The Syracuse City Council held a budget hearing on April 21, 2026, for the Mayor's Office to Reduce Gun Violence (MORGV). Councilors Helen Hudson, Joan Rousser Jones, Nave, Caldwell, Monto, and President Pontiagua attended. Latif Johnson, director of MORGV, presented the budget, and Deputy Chief Dave Metz of the Syracuse Police Department provided testimony on interagency collaboration.

Discussion Items

• Budget Overview and Justifications: Latif Johnson reviewed the budget, noting that the three part-time credible messenger positions were previously funded by DCJS and that MORGV now seeks city funding to continue them. He explained that office supplies ($2,500, corrected from a clerical error showing $25,000) cover supplies for community outreach and programming. Professional services ($50,000, down from $250,000) support the trauma response team and therapists on a mobile unit. Travel expenses ($6,050, up from $991) fund training and conferences to stay current with community violence intervention (CVI) best practices. Johnson stated that the entire budget is now city-funded, with zero grant support, though he continues to pursue federal (DOJ) grants.
• Data Tracking and Accountability: Johnson emphasized that MORGV tracks all activities, using a data analyst to record youth interactions, meetings, and contract deliverables. He described the office as coordinating an "ecosystem" of partner organizations, ensuring accountability to reduce violence. Deputy Chief Metz confirmed that the collaboration between MORGV and SPD has been integral to enforcement strategies and contributed to a drop in violent crime.
• Neighborhood Ambassador Program: Councilors inquired about the new Neighborhood Ambassador program, funded by state dollars through 2027. Johnson clarified that ambassadors are not yet appointed; they will be part-time seasonal workers (May to November) embedded in neighborhoods to organize community meetings, connect residents with services, and empower neighbors. Councilor Caldwell suggested ambassadors meet with district councilors to identify specific problem areas. Johnson stressed ambassadors are coordinators, not therapists, and rely on professional services for clinical support.
• Response to Youth Affected by Gun Violence: Councilor Caldwell raised concerns about children who are not directly involved in violence but are impacted as victims' family members or witnesses. She argued that these "good kids" are often forgotten and called for dedicated support. Johnson responded that MORGV now proactively sits in affected neighborhoods (e.g., after the Palmer Ave shooting) at 7:30 a.m. to identify and serve these children. He announced a new program, "Mothers Against Gun Violence," starting in May 2025 (likely a slip, should be 2026 per meeting date) in partnership with the Salvation Army, providing family functional therapy for mothers and eventually children. Johnson noted that additional funding would be needed to scale support for the approximately 20 children impacted per incident.
• Prevention vs. Intervention: Councilor Monto asked whether MORGV could shift focus more toward prevention and exposure to positive activities, not just crisis response. Johnson described the office's role in coordinating prevention, including college tours and YMCA memberships, and holding organizations accountable for follow-through. Deputy Chief Metz added that SPD's targeted enforcement on high-risk individuals allows other programs (parks, recreation) to flourish.

Key Outcomes

• No formal vote was taken; the hearing was for informational budget review.
• Latif Johnson confirmed the launch of the Mothers Against Gun Violence program in May 2026, with the goal of expanding to children in subsequent months.
• The Neighborhood Ambassador program will begin in May 2026, funded through 2027, with recruitment and training ongoing.
• Councilors expressed general support for MORGV's work but highlighted the need for better public messaging about successes and for expanded services to victims' families. The meeting adjourned by motion.