City of Rochester
News Release
(Friday, Dec. 7, 2012) – Mayor Thomas S. Richards and Police Chief James M. Sheppard will host a series of “Voice of the Citizen” – Seeking Solutions to Violence community forums, in which citizens will play an active role in developing a comprehensive strategy to reduce violence.
“Statistics for violent crime are down in our city, but when it happens to you or when you see it in your neighborhood, then statistics mean nothing,” said Mayor Richards. “I want to hear directly from our citizens about their experiences and their ideas to reduce violence. I encourage everyone to take part in these community forums so we can create strategies that will have a lasting effect on decreasing violent behavior.”
“With ‘Voice of the Citizen’ we have a tremendous opportunity to engage with the community and receive real, honest feedback on how the Rochester Police Department can address important crime-related issues that affect our community,” said Chief Sheppard. “This initiative will also give us an opportunity to provide citizens updates on current crime-solving strategies and help us on our path to building and sustaining relationships with the people that we serve. I believe events like this will go a long way in solving and deterring crime and keep our community members safe.”
One forum will be held in each of the city’s four quadrants and citizens will be asked to discuss the issue of violence under four broad categories: Open-air drug sales and gate houses; Gangs, guns and the culture of violence; Bullying and truancy; and House parties.
At the meetings, RPD crime prevention officers will be available at breakout sessions for each of these topics and City staff will act as facilitators. Citizen suggestions will be recorded and used to enhance the Rochester Police Department’s long-term violence-reduction strategies.
The meeting schedule is as follows (all meetings are from 6 to 8 p.m.):
- Southwest: Tuesday, Dec. 11. Frederick Douglass Resource Center, 36 King St.
- Northeast: Tuesday, Jan. 15. Carter Street Community Center, 500 Carter St.
- Northwest: Tuesday, Jan. 29. Edgerton Community Center, 41 Backus St.
- Southeast: Tuesday, Feb. 5. Cobbs Hill Park, Lake Riley Lodge, 100 Norris Drive.
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News Media: For more information, contact Michael Keane at 428-7135.