Rochester gun violence falls to pre-pandemic levels
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~ In a recent public safety update, Mayor Malik D. Evans of Rochester announced a significant decline in gun violence and other serious crimes in the city. According to the mayor, the number of shootings has fallen to pre-pandemic levels, indicating that the strategies implemented to reduce violence are working.

While Mayor Evans expressed satisfaction with these numbers, he also emphasized that the ultimate goal is to make Rochester a safer city where people not only feel safe but are safe. He stated, "Numbers aren't the goal. The goal is to make Rochester a safer city where perception matches reality and people not only are safe, but feel safe."

The rolling 365-day average of shootings shows a decrease of more than half from the peak violence seen during the pandemic. This means that there were about 430 shootings in 2021 and early 2022, compared to only about 210 this week. Mayor Evans highlighted the significance of this decline on a human scale, stating that it translates to more than 200 individuals who did not experience the trauma of gun violence and over 200 families who did not have to endure losing a loved one or supporting someone whose life was permanently altered by gun violence.

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The rolling 365-day average is considered one of the most useful measures of violent crime by the Rochester Police Department as it eliminates many variables that occur within a calendar year. Additionally, another standardized metric, the five-year average, also reveals ongoing reductions in all Part 1 crimes (the most serious crimes as defined by the FBI).

As of August this year, Rochester's Part 1 crime rate has decreased by 20% compared to an average from 2019 through 2023. Murders have decreased by 18%, total violent crime by 8%, and property crimes by 22%. These statistics were revealed by Mayor Evans during his periodic Public Safety Updates with his senior management team since declaring a Gun Violence State of Emergency in July 2022.

At the news conference, Police Chief David Smith reported that homicides and shooting victims have also decreased this year compared to the same period last year. So far, there have been 42 homicides and 156 shooting victims, compared to 49 homicides and 234 shooting victims at this point last year. Additionally, Rochester police officers have made 750 arrests for crimes related to criminal possession of a weapon and have recovered 573 illegal firearms.

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Corporation Counsel Patrick Beath also shared that the City Law Department has utilized the additional regulatory powers of the Gun Violence State of Emergency to close nine locations and enter into three significant nuisance-abatement agreements with locations linked to violent crime.

Dr. Shirley Green, Commissioner of the Department of Recreation and Human Services, provided insight into the trauma experienced by city youth in their homes and neighborhoods. She stated that a program providing mental health counseling services for youth in four City R-Centers has engaged with 178 youth from April to June this year, with almost all engagements being self-referrals. The topics discussed during these sessions include anger management, bullying, relationships, and decision-making skills.

Mayor Evans concluded the update by expressing his gratitude towards all those involved in reducing gun violence and other serious crimes in Rochester. He also urged continued efforts towards making Rochester a safer city for all its residents.

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