PRESS RELEASE : Mayor Warren, Chief Singletary Announce Efforts to Curb Recent Violence

• Laws and Regulations regarding public gatherings to be strictly enforced
• Emergency Order prohibits public gatherings and large private gatherings,
excluding bars and restaurants, between 11 p.m. & 5 a.m.
• State Police will provide troopers to assist RPD
• Sound systems and equipment used for illegal gatherings will be
confiscated

(Wednesday, July 15, 2020) – Mayor Lovely Warren and Police Chief LaRon Singletary
today announced new efforts to curb recent violence in Rochester. Over 20 people have been
shot or stabbed over the last two weeks. Much of this violence has been preceded by house
parties or large gatherings on City streets and public parks. Therefore, the Mayor and Chief
announced that laws and regulations regarding public gatherings will be strictly enforced and
that New York State Police will assign troopers to assist RPD in these efforts. In addition, the
Mayor issued a new Emergency Order that no public gatherings of 5 or more people will be
allowed from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m. in a public place. Also, no indoor gatherings of 10 or more
unrelated individuals will be allowed from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m. unless the location is licensed
under Alcohol Beverage Control Law.
“My first duty is ensuring the safety of our community,” said Mayor Warren. “We must protect
the lives of every citizen in Rochester, particularly our children. I will not tolerate the
lawlessness we have seen on our streets and I will do all I can to prevent tragedy from
destroying the lives of our families. We have been fortunate that we have not seen the loss of
life that has occurred in other cities.”
Mayor Warren referenced the recent shootings of children in other cities including a 9-year-old
boy in Atlanta, the seven children shot in Chicago in the past month and the one-year-old shot
and killed in Brooklyn this past weekend.

-more-

Mayor Warren, Chief Singletary Announce
Efforts to Curb Recent Violence

“The Rochester Police Department will fulfill its duty to protect our residents,” said Chief
Singletary. “While violence has been increasing during the pandemic in cities across America,
we are responsible for protecting our community and bringing violence here to an end. My
message is that illegal parties and other gatherings will be stopped. If you are holding one of
these parties, we will shut you down, take your equipment and hold you accountable. We will
stand up for our families and neighborhoods.”
Mayor Warren and Chief Singletary requested that the New York State Police provide troopers
to assist Rochester Police in enforcing the Emergency Order. Based on that request, dozens
of additional troopers will be patrolling City streets this weekend. Also, the Rochester Police
Department’s Pathways-to-Peace team will respond to gatherings and work with the public to
educate and disperse any crowds.
“We are going to bring all of our resources to bear to protect our neighborhoods and our
families,” said Mayor Warren. “We will insist that everyone act responsibly and with dignity.
We won’t tolerate those who act selfishly and without regard for their neighbors. We must all
protect our city.”
Mayor Warren and Chief Singletary were joined by City Council Vice President and Chair of
Council’s Public Safety, Youth and Recreation Committee Willie Lightfoot in making today’s
announcement.
“We must do everything we can to protect our young people, families and seniors,” said Vice
President Lightfoot. “I have seen firsthand the impact of violence and commend Mayor Warren
and Chief Singletary for taking action. And, I call upon everyone to step and do their part to
keep our community safe.”
Note: The complete text of the Mayor’s emergency order is included with this release.

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