As local leaders applaud progress in a decrease in gun violence in Rochester, new restrictions in the entertainment district at East Avenue and Alexander Street will take effect this weekend.
On Friday, Mayor Malik Evans announced the creation of the Special Event Zone that will be in effect in the area on Saturday nights. The designation means the area will be restricted to people who are 21 and over, it will increase police and security presence and close some city streets in the area. Backpacks and other large bags will be prohibited.
Beginning on Saturday, between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m., pedestrians can enter the Special Event Zone at four locations:
- Chapman Alley and Alexander Street
- East Avenue and Alexander Street
- East Avenue and South Union Street
- Lawrence and Charlotte Streets
The following streets will be closed to all vehicular traffic during that time, except for residents and employees:
- Alexander Street from Chapman Alley to East Avenue
- Gardiner Park
- Dryer Alley
- Lawrence Street
- Shuart Street
- East Avenue, between Alexander Street and South Union Street
South Union Street will be fully accessible in both directions. Parking will be available at the lot located at the corner of South Union Street and East Avenue and will be accessible only via South Union Street. There will be no other parking within the Special Event Zone.
The Special Event Zone designation is part of a collaboration between city's Law Department, Rochester Police Department and East End business owners who are working under the mayor’s gun violence state of emergency to improve safety for bar and restaurant patrons in the area.
The East End's many entertainment businesses and restaurants attract large crowds on weekends. It has also occasionally seen violent incidents, including shootings.
“One or two people who choose to bring a weapon to a Saturday night out should not be allowed to impact the hundreds of people who want to enjoy themselves at a local establishment,” said Mayor Evans. “To encourage the continued vitality of the East End bar district, while also ensuring the safety of patrons, we are enacting a new Special Event Zone on Saturday nights.”
The city says the Special Event Zone will be in place on Saturday nights until further notice.
Meanwhile, gun violence in the city of Rochester has fallen to levels not seen since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Mayor Malik Evans says a 365-day rolling average shows there were 212 shootings in the last year. That's 200 fewer incidents than when shootings peaked across Rochester in July 2021.
Chief Smith also says the number of shooting victims dropped to 156 people, a decrease of nearly 70 people from this same time last year.
According to Mayor Evans, the drop is thanks in part to the local gun violence state of emergency that's been in effect for more than two years.
The proclamation gave the mayor broad powers to protect life and property in an effort to bring the situation under control. It authorizes the city to dedicate all possible resources to bring an end to violence and prevent it from expanding further. It also allowed Rochester police to expand coordinated efforts with the New York State Police, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshal’s Service.