City of Rochester
News Release
- Laws and Regulations regarding public gatherings to be strictly enforced
- Emergency Order prohibits public gatherings and large private gatherings, excluding bars and restaurants, between 11 p.m. & 5 a.m.
- State Police will provide troopers to assist RPD
- Sound systems and equipment used for illegal gatherings will be confiscated
(Wednesday, July 15, 2020) – Mayor Lovely Warren and Police Chief LaRon Singletary today announced new efforts to curb recent violence in Rochester.
Over 20 people have been shot or stabbed over the last two weeks. Much of this violence has been preceded by house parties or large gatherings on city streets and public parks. Therefore, the Mayor and Chief announced that laws and regulations regarding public gatherings will be strictly enforced and that New York State Police will assign troopers to assist Rochester Police Department (RPD) in these efforts. In addition, the Mayor issued a new Emergency Order that no public gatherings of five or more people will be allowed from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m. in a public place. Also, no indoor gatherings of 10 or more unrelated individuals will be allowed from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m. unless the location is licensed under Alcohol Beverage Control Law.
“My first duty is ensuring the safety of our community,” said Mayor 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.”
Mayor Warren referenced the recent shootings of children in other cities including a 9-year-old boy in Atlanta, the seven children shot in Chicago in the past month and the 1-year-old shot and killed in Brooklyn this past weekend.
“The Rochester Police Department will fulfill its duty to protect our residents,” said Chief 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.”
Mayor Warren and Chief Singletary requested that the New York State Police provide troopers to assist Rochester Police in enforcing the Emergency Order. Based on that request, dozens of additional troopers will be patrolling City streets this weekend. Also, the Rochester Police Department’s Pathways-to-Peace team will respond to gatherings and work with the public to educate and disperse any crowds.
“We are going to bring all of our resources to bear to protect our neighborhoods and our families,” said Mayor Warren. “We will insist that everyone act responsibly and with dignity. We won’t tolerate those who act selfishly and without regard for their neighbors. We must all protect our city.”
Mayor Warren and Chief Singletary were joined by City Council Vice President and Chair of Council’s Public Safety, Youth and Recreation Committee Willie Lightfoot in making today’s announcement.
“We must do everything we can to protect our young people, families and seniors,” said Vice President Lightfoot. “I have seen firsthand the impact of violence and commend Mayor Warren and Chief Singletary for taking action. And, I call upon everyone to step and do their part to keep our community safe.”
Note: The complete text of the Mayor’s emergency order can be found here>>.
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