This weekend on In Focus, JoDee Kenney takes us to Rochester to give us a look at a day in the life with Mayor Malik Evans.
Mayor Evans sat down with JoDee for an extended one-on-one interview at Rochester City Hall. Evans talked about his collaboration with other Upstate New York mayors on efforts to grow their cities’ economies and combat gun violence. Since taking office in 2022, following a year that saw a record number of homicides in the city, the mayor said the strategy of prevention, intervention and suppression has resulted in a reduction in violent crime.
Still, Mayor Evans said he has expressed frustration over the gun crimes that do occur, many involving Rochester’s young people.
“We don’t have to accept gun violence as a normal part of life,” said Evans, adding that the majority of gun-related injuries and deaths are the result of interpersonal disputes.
The mayor does credit the work of the Rochester Peace Collective and workforce development programs, like Rochester’s partnership with Tech Talent, for building a foundation for future crime reduction and economic opportunity.
One group, Mayor Evans said is laying the groundwork for the future generation of leadership in the City of Rochester is Youth Voice One Vision: The Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council. Since helping to get the organization off the ground some 16 years ago, Evans said it continues to empower the city’s young people. Tremain Harris, YVOV’s coordinator, introduced JoDee to Advisory Council Members Lacey Jones and Trevor Wiggins. The two teens spoke about what this unique opportunity provides, for not only them but thousands of their peers across Rochester. Among their accomplishments, an Indoor and Outdoor Bill of Rights for the city’s R-Centers. Many of YVOV members work at these recreation facilities, and Mayor Evans said this, and other policies help build confidence and trust among the city’s young people.
For Constellation Brands, it’s all downtown, cutting the ribbon on a new global headquarters in Rochester. Mayor Evans spoke about the impact the first Fortune 500 Company to call the city home in decades will have across the area. The sixth-ranked alcoholic beverage producer in the world, moved into seven buildings along the Genesee Riverfront. Gov. Kathy Hochul echoed the mayor’s enthusiasm for the move, and said it is a “sign of hope and a promise of better days to come” in Downtown Rochester. Constellation Brands’ headquarters, Evans said, should serve as an example for other companies looking to locate in the city.
You can watch the complete special episode via the video player above. And be sure to tune in for a look inside the biggest issues impacting upstate New York on In Focus with JoDee Kenney — every Sunday on Spectrum News 1.