City of Rochester
News Release
(Wednesday, April 6, 2016) – Mayor Lovely A. Warren and Police Chief Michael Ciminelli released a report on the 2015 crime statistics today that shows crime in Rochester continues to decline and remains at historic lows.
“Rochester’s streets are safe and getting safer,” Mayor Warren said. “The men and women of the Rochester Police Department are working in partnership with the citizens of this community to push our crime rates down and build viable neighborhoods where more jobs can be created and educational outcomes improved.”
The 2015 crime statistics show Part 1 crimes, those deemed most serious by the FBI, fell to the lowest point in 25 years. Violent crimes remained relatively flat, ending with the second lowest total in 10 years and the fourth lowest total in 25 years. Part 1 crimes for 2015 were also down 21 percent from the five-year average. Property crimes were down 22 percent and violent crimes were down 16 percent from the five year average.
The number of homicides increased by one, from 35 to 36, and remained consistent with the 5-year average of 37. One homicide involved a victim who was fatally injured in 1999 but died in 2015. The homicide clearance rate was 80 percent.
Despite the positive direction of the overall crime trend, the Mayor and Chief acknowledged the statistics revealed a significant challenge related to the use of illegal guns.
Mayor Warren said she hopes the steps begun last year will begin to have a positive impact this year, including the creation of a new Gun Crimes Trial Part and efforts to work with other New York mayors to advocate for state laws that will address gun violence. The Rochester Police Department also has several strategic initiatives to focus on gun violence, including dispute identification and intervention; an increased focus on known gun offenders; and targeted patrols in areas with increased gun activity.
But Mayor Warren warned these steps alone will not solve the problem, which is why the City must continue its efforts to create more jobs and improve educational outcomes.
“We must give our children the promise of a better future,” she said. “We must teach our children they can succeed with their minds, not with guns and violence.”
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News Media: For more information, contact Press Officer Jessica Alaimo at 428-7135.