ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Since last April, the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force has arrested more than 400 violent felons wanted for weapons charges, drugs, burglary and robbery. So far this year, they've taken 10 homicide suspects into custody.
Law enforcement leaders say officers are all doing their jobs at a time when law enforcement has never been under more scrutiny. They say they're working to connect police to the public constructively and peacefully moving forward.
So many in the community have expressed their feelings about some of the changes they'd like to see, and now the top cops are talking about bridging the divide.
"Our men and women have to worry about their families being targeted, their houses being targeted, and that's a concern that we never had to deal with before. But I got it, I got to give him credit, they continue to do their job and they should. It's why we're hired," said Maj. Barry Chase of the New York State Police.
Over the last year, law enforcement officers everywhere have clashed with the community after several police shootings and in-custody deaths locally and nationally. But that relationship between the public and the police is crucial in fighting crime.
That's why when the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force team, for example, is out looking for wanted felons who have violated their parole and committed new crimes, team members try to connect with the public in the neighborhoods where they are working.
"We're doing it for the victims out there and for the neighbors that are looking out the windows," said Charles Salina of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter says it's important to build those relationships, and moving forward, find some common ground of understanding.
"Some of the corrections we got to make law enforcement, are corrections we've got to make. We understand that," said Baxter. "Being part of the community, we better understand that. But it's not an us versus them. We've got to stop with that and not listen to all the rhetoric all the time. Hey, want to sit down and improve law enforcement, we're willing to sit. We've proven that. We've made multiple adjustments. People want their neighborhood to be safe, we are willing to risk everything, because that's our job we signed up for."
Everyone wants to find common ground here, and a better understanding of both sides. They say as they head into the busy summer months, police want to partner with the public to fight crime.
To see part one of the work of the Fugitive Task Force, click here.