Mayor Evans says Rochester gun violence continues its historic decline as key measures fall well below 10-year averages

Rochester, New York – Gun violence in Rochester is continuing to decline, with several major measures now far below their averages from the past decade, according to Mayor Malik D. Evans and city officials.

At a recent Public Safety Update news conference, Evans said the city has continued to see substantial reductions in gun violence and violent crime. The latest figures show declines ranging from 20 percent to 68 percent compared with Rochester’s 10-year averages, marking another period of improvement in the city’s efforts to reduce shootings and other violent offenses.

“Gun violence and violent crime continue to fall to levels not seen in more than a decade and outpace the national decline,” said Mayor Evans. “Our spirit of innovation and willingness to embrace new crime-reduction technologies and strategies have played an instrumental role in driving down violent crime rates over the past four-plus years.”

The numbers were included in an August report submitted to New York State as part of Rochester’s participation in the Gun Involved Violence Elimination, or GIVE, initiative. The program provides funding and encourages participating agencies to work together while using evidence-based approaches to address gun violence.

According to the report, aggravated assault shootings in Rochester were 37 percent below the city’s 10-year average. Reckless endangerment cases also declined, coming in 20 percent below the average.

Other gun-related measures showed similar changes. Cases involving the prohibited use of a weapon were down 25 percent compared with the 10-year average, while the number of total shooting victims was 40 percent lower.

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The report also showed a 28 percent decline in total gunfire incidents. The largest decrease came in gun-related homicides, which were down 68 percent from the 10-year average.

City officials presented the figures as part of a broader review of public safety during the spring and summer months. The fourth Public Safety Update news conference also included a look ahead at the rest of the year and outlined several areas where officials say additional work is needed.

The decline in gun violence was a central focus, but Evans stressed that lower shooting numbers do not mean every public safety problem has been resolved.

Domestic violence remains a major concern for Rochester, according to the mayor. The city continues to experience a high rate of domestic violence compared with other communities in New York State, and police officers respond to thousands of related calls each year.

The Rochester Police Department receives approximately 6,000 domestic violence calls annually. That works out to roughly 16 calls every day. About 60 percent of those calls are classified as criminal in nature.

“These aren’t just overheated arguments or loud yelling matches,” Mayor Evans said. “These are highly charged emotional conflicts that escalate from a disagreement to physical and emotional abuse.”

The city and its partners are now working on broader strategies to address domestic violence. Officials plan to put additional attention on the issue in October, which is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

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The public safety conference also covered several other areas of the city’s work. Rochester Police Chief David Smith discussed the department’s violence-prevention strategies and efforts to reduce violent crime.

Fire Chief Stefano Napolitano provided an update on activities planned for Fire Safety Month in October. The events are part of the city’s broader public safety efforts and will give residents opportunities to learn more about fire prevention and safety.

Corporation Counsel Patrick Beath discussed the work of the city’s Law Department in addressing problem locations. The department is involved in efforts focused on properties and areas that officials identify as contributing to ongoing public safety concerns.

Violence prevention efforts involving young people were also part of the discussion. Zequa Tookes, director of the Office of Violence Prevention, spoke about continued cooperation between Pathways to Peace and the Rochester City School District.

That partnership is part of the city’s efforts to prevent violence before it escalates and to connect young people with support and intervention services.

Dr. Shirley Green, commissioner of Recreation and Human Services, also spoke about her department’s role in violence prevention and intervention. Her department is involved in programs and services intended to support residents and address conditions that can contribute to violence.

The latest gun violence figures come after more than four years of efforts by the city and its partners to change how violence is addressed. The GIVE initiative has played a significant role in those efforts by providing resources and encouraging cooperation among law enforcement agencies.

While city officials are highlighting the continued reductions in shootings, the public safety update also made clear that Rochester’s work is not finished. The sharp declines in several gun violence categories are being accompanied by continued attention to other problems, particularly domestic violence.

For city leaders, the next phase will involve maintaining the progress made against gun violence while developing additional responses to the challenges that remain. Evans and other officials said the city will continue using prevention programs, partnerships, technology and other strategies as Rochester moves into the final months of the year.