Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren and Rochester City Police Chief La’Ron Singletary announced an executive order aimed at quelling the recent upticks in violence throughout the city. 

”I am issuing an emergency order today to stop the surge of violence in our city," said Warren.

Between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., public gatherings of five or more people and indoor gatherings of 10 or more unrelated people will be prohibited. 

“My first duty is ensuring the safety of our community,” said Warren. “We must protect the lives of every citizen in Rochester, particularly our children. I will not tolerate the lawlessness we have seen on our streets and I will do all I can to prevent tragedy from destroying the lives of our families. We have been fortunate that we have not seen the loss of life that has occurred in other cities.”

The order excludes bars and restaurants.

Over 20 people have been shot or stabbed in the city over the past two weeks. In the past month and a half, 70 people have been shot on the streets of Rochester, with eight deaths.

“The Rochester Police Department will fulfill its duty to protect our residents,” said Singletary. “While violence has been increasing during the pandemic in cities across America, we are responsible for protecting our community and bringing violence here to an end. My message is that illegal parties and other gatherings will be stopped. If you are holding one of these parties, we will shut you down, take your equipment and hold you accountable. We will stand up for our families and neighborhoods.”

The Rochester Police Department will be tasked with enforcing the order, along with the New York State Police, who will be patrolling streets this weekend.

“We won’t and cannot continue to act in the manner in which we are," said Warren.