Mayor gives update on city’s Gun Violence State of Emergency

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Mayor Malik Evans says certain neighborhoods are in crisis. Most of them are located in the city’s poorest zip codes. One zip code in particular is 14605. It’s ranked number two in the top 25 Poorest Zip Codes in the entire state, and includes North Clinton Avenue, where a three-year-old was shot in the head this week.

On Friday Evans gave an update on the city’s Gun Violence State of Emergency declared back in July. Rochester actually has five poor zip codes on the list, but 14605 has been designated being in crisis. Evans, and his team, are now pouring more resources, and investments into the community.

“We are not fooling around as it relates to that area. It’s effecting the entire city,” said Evans.

The Mayor is taking a much stronger approach when it comes to the rise of violent crimes along the North Clinton Avenue corridor. Joined by his Senior Management Team Friday morning, Evans said that 90 percent of violent crimes are being committed on just 10 percent of our streets.

“The vast majority of these people in these neighborhoods are peaceful, but they have been subjected to the highest level of crimes, and they are also subjected to the highest level of poverty,” said Evans.

So far this year, eight people living in the zip code were killed by gun violence. Wednesday, 3-year-old toddler, Marlo Joseph, was shot in the head during a gun battle outside the Valero gas station. Police immediately arrested 34-year-old Travis Lewis III, a violent offender with a lengthy criminal history. Also arrested, a 16-year-old, who police say, was wearing body armor. The Mayor’s Special Advisor of Violence Prevention, Victor Saunders, says work continues to solve these conflicts.

“We’re engaging people to deescalate conflicts and encourage productive resolutions to disagreements. Unfortunately, as you’ve heard the Mayor state previously, people don’t necessarily deal with using their words when they’re upset when they have a firearm, and that itself is a major problem for us,” said Saunders.

Rochester Police now have high visibility patrols on North Clinton Avenue to help cut down on crime.

“Our Community Affairs Bureau continues to meet with our local businesses, and conduct safety assessments, and to build upon our relationship and further include them as partners in reducing violence. Moving forward, we will continue to meet and work with our city, and community partners to build upon our efforts to bring peace to the residents of North Clinton corridor,” said Police Chief David Smith.

See Mayor’s complete update below.