Hochul: Rochester sees significant decrease in shootings

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — The City of Rochester has seen a significant decrease in shootings through August 2024, according to a new report.

The NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services reports that Rochester saw a 39% decrease in shootings. The report says that New York State has a 28% decline in shootings across New York communities.

The 28% decline reflects 417 shootings with injuries statewide from January 1 to August 31, 2024 — compared to 578 incidents from last year. Rochester has seen a number of high-profile shootings, including last summer when multiple people were shot in a deadly shooting at Maplewood Park.

According to RPD’s Open Data Portal, between January 1 to August 31, 2024, there have been 142 shooting victims. As of Wednesday, that number is 156. RPD says that there were 234 shootings around that time.

Governor Hochul released a statement on the decline, saying this decrease is due to the state’s strategies to combat gun violence.

“Public safety is my number one priority, and protecting New Yorkers and their communities is the foundation of all our efforts,” Hochul said in her statement. “Our strategies for tackling gun violence are proving effective, but our work is never finished — we will continue investing, innovating, and partnering with law enforcement to make New York a safer place for everyone.”

A full breakdown of declines in shootings can be found below:

• Nassau County: 40 percent decline
• Rochester: 39 percent decline
• Suffolk County: 39 percent decline
• Syracuse: 26 percent decline
• Utica: 47 percent decline
• Yonkers: 56 percent decline

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.