Youth athletic program president calls for change after another teen shot and killed

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — For the second time in less than four days, there was another shooting at a Rochester City Rec Center. Over the weekend 17-year-old, Cahj’miere Robinson was shot and killed near the Thomas P. Ryan Rec Center.

News10NBC talked to the President of a Rochester Youth Athletic Program based at the Center about some safety concerns she now has.

Trelawney McCoy is the President of the Rochester Rams, and she’s concerned that recent crimes in the city are putting the safety of the kids on the team at risk.

“We want to make sure that the kids are safe. That we’re being kept safe. That the parents are safe,” said McCoy.

Just days after 17-year-old Robinson lost his life near the playground at the Rec Center, McCoy may be forced this weekend to once again move her program’s football games to other rec centers in the city. She is calling for more protective changes here in the park. She says unruly teens often hang out there to just connect to the building’s Wi-Fi.

“In the front of the rec center, on the sides of the rec center, on the back of the rec center, we have concerns, concerning safety. You know we have teenagers that are doing, that are just acting out,” said McCoy.

She says the other major problem is the lights that surround the athletic fields.

“Lights only face the parking lot. Lights don’t face the actual football field where the kids are practicing. So there’s no lights there. So we’re trying to advocate for lights,” said McCoy.

In fact, they’ve come up with a temporary solution as it starts to get dark earlier at night.

“When the time goes back we’ll shine our car lights on the field in order to have the kids continue to practice because some kids continue on to champions, and championships, and nationals, and they have to practice, and what are we going to do,” said McCoy.

She is also calling for more security.

“Pathways to peace always come, and they’re really a great resource to come around, and then RPD usually stations like 2 officers here and within the parking lot. So if we have to host our games this weekend we will, but we’re looking for other places right now,” said McCoy.

News10NBC reached out to both the Mayor’s office and police department for a comment regarding McCoy’s concerns. So far the city tells us they will follow up with her, and explore her options.