ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Rochester's Police Chief is hopeful recently implemented efforts to fight crime in the city are working.
“We’re getting the results we hoped, I pray and hope that we will continue on this trend,” Interim Chief Cynthia Herriott-Sullivan said.
Two weeks leading up to the Anti-Violence Initiative, Rochester experienced 21 shootings and five homicides. Since the initiative started with state and federal partners two weeks ago, Rochester has seen only 11 shootings and one homicide.
“Two weeks is not a great sample size, but we are targeting the right people, I can assure you that,” RPD Captain Naser Zenelovic said.
Last week, the U.S. Attorney announced 138 arrests as part of the Western New York Viper Task Force, with most arrests happening in Buffalo. Of that total, Rochester Police say they have targeted and prosecuted 29 people so far. Some have been sent for federal prosecution with more pending.
“This has not resulted in our neighborhoods being blanketed with a police presence, I want to emphasize that, that it’s a specific strategy, we’re targeting the most violent individuals to get them off the streets,” Herriott-Sullivan added.
When the initiative started, community members expressed concerns about over-policing.
“That’s what we should do, we don’t want over police, and we want to have police presence and sometimes a better one so that the community can feel safe,” Clay Harris, founder of Uniting and Healing through Hope of Monroe County, said.
Law enforcement involved in the task force say they’ve committed to addressing violence without major disruptions to people trying to live their lives..
As of now, it’s too soon to know if the city will need more than the 60 days allotted for the VIPER Task Force to reduce violence.
“All we can do is come up with our best game plan on how to address this and see what happens, so right now we’re in the see what happens mode,” Herriott-Sullivan said.
Rochester Police say the strategy can change to address any upticks in violence.
Another update on the initiative is expected in September or when notable information becomes available.