Rochester Reporter

Today, Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans shared promising news in his first Public Safety Briefing of 2025, announcing a significant decrease in firearm violence throughout the city. The data revealed that gun violence in 2024 had fallen by more than half compared to its peak during the pandemic in 2021.

The year-end crime statistics for 2024 showed a marked decline across several key metrics related to gun violence. Shootings dropped by 53 percent, decreasing from 349 incidents in 2021 to 157. Similarly, the number of shooting victims fell by 51 percent, from 419 individuals in 2021 to just 205 last year. Fatal shootings also saw a notable reduction of 55 percent, going down from 63 cases in 2022 to only 28.

Mayor Evans credited this progress to focused efforts and partnerships at various levels of law enforcement and governance. "Since I took office three years ago, my administration and our partners have remained steadfastly focused on reducing crime and its impact on Rochester residents," he stated. He emphasized the commitment to continue using a combination of prevention, intervention, and suppression strategies.

These improvements were achieved through historic collaborations with federal, state, county, and local agencies. Public safety was prioritized across all City departments while maintaining a Gun Violence State of Emergency since June of 2022. This emergency status has provided the City with additional authority to regulate activities linked with gun violence.

Mayor Evans cautioned against complacency despite these positive trends: "This is no time to get complacent," he remarked. "We will continue to confront the tragedy of gun violence with every resource we can muster."

For further information on this topic, refer to the RPD Open Data Portal.