Crime & Safety Action Items
- Marcus Williams
- Jun 13
- 4 min read
Updated: 6 hours ago
Introduction Rochester deserves safe streets where families thrive and businesses grow. But with a violent crime rate among New York’s highest—1,834 crimes per 100,000 people—our city is gripped by fear. Car thefts, robberies, and youth crime are rising, fueled by state laws that let repeat offenders walk free. Our police force is stretched thin, with only about 600 officers, and few live in Rochester, making it harder to connect with our communities. Filing a police report is often a hassle, discouraging residents from seeking help. I’m running for City Council to bring bold, practical solutions to make Rochester safer. My plan focuses on holding criminals accountable, boosting police recruitment, and rebuilding trust with programs that put our community first. Together, we can create a Rochester where everyone feels secure.
Top Issues
Rising Crime and No Accountability: State laws like bail reform and “Raise the Age” let criminals, especially repeat offenders, avoid consequences, driving up carjackings, robberies, and vandalism.
Not Enough Police: The Rochester Police Department (RPD) struggles to hire officers, leaving us short-staffed to fight crime.
Few Officers Live Here: Only about 10% of RPD officers call Rochester home, weakening ties with our neighborhoods.
Hard to File Police Reports: Long waits and clunky systems make it tough for residents, especially in diverse areas, to report crimes like theft or vandalism.
Action Items
Advocacy
We need state laws that keep criminals off our streets, and I’ll fight for change.
Push for Tougher Laws: I’ll lead a coalition to urge state lawmakers, like our Assembly and Senate members, to fix bail reform and “Raise the Age” laws. These changes will give judges more power to detain repeat offenders, like car thieves, and hold violent youth accountable. We’ll gather 5,000 voter signatures for a “Safe Streets Now” petition to show Albany we mean business.
Cost: $5,000/year (staff, petition supplies, Albany trips).
Technical Note: Uses crime data (40% rise in car thefts since 2019) to draft model laws with RPD and Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
Call Out Inaction: I’ll publicly name state lawmakers who block these fixes, using press releases, X Live talks, and town halls with crime victims. Rochester deserves leaders who act, not make excuses.
Cost: $2,000/year (media, event costs).
Technical Note: Monthly statements tied to crime stats (e.g., 50% of youth reoffend within 6 months) to keep pressure on Albany.
Legislation
City Council must step up to protect our neighborhoods with strong local laws.
Proclaim Crime Is Unacceptable: I’ll propose a City Council statement declaring crime a crisis and pledging zero tolerance. This sends a clear message that Rochester stands united against violence, something some council members seem to ignore.
Cost: $500 (staff, publicity).
Technical Note: Drafted with RPD and victims’ advocates, citing 1,834 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, for Q1 2026 vote.
Create Local Detention and Penalties: I’ll introduce laws to build a small city detention center for repeat offenders (like carjackers or vandals) and set local fines or community service for crimes like vandalism. If the state fights us, we’ll take it to court, because public safety is government’s core job.
Cost: $1M startup (facility renovation), $500K/year operating (from public safety budget or grants).
Technical Note: Uses NYS Municipal Home Rule Law §10; 50-bed facility proposed by Q2 2026, with legal prep for state challenges.
Budget and Programs
Smart programs can make our police more accessible and grow our own officers.
Police Boxes: We’ll place mobile trailers on vacant city lots in high-crime areas—Jefferson (Southwest), Dewey (Northwest), and N Clinton/Barrio (Northeast)—where residents can file reports or share concerns. Open 15–20 hours a week, staffed by an officer or youth trainee, with AI translation tools for our 19.1% Hispanic neighbors. A social worker will visit weekly to connect people to housing or job help.
Cost: $50K startup, $150K/year (trailers, staff, tech; funded by RPD budget or HUD grants).
Technical Note: Pilot starts Q3 2026, using ~4,000 city-owned lots, evaluated after 12 months (target: 20% more reports filed).
Youth Police Corps (YPC): This program trains 16–18-year-olds for police careers, pays them to work, and keeps them out of trouble. Starting with 25 teens in 2026, YPC offers training in police skills, fitness, and life skills like budgeting, plus paid jobs ($15/hour) helping at RPD stations, walking with officers, or staffing police boxes. Graduates get a fast track to the RPD academy and college credits. We’ll recruit from high-poverty areas (40% child poverty) to give kids a future and grow local officers.
Cost: $100K startup, $200K/year (stipends, staff; from youth budgets or DOJ grants).
Technical Note: Partners with RCSD and Monroe Community College; pilot launches Q4 2026, targeting 5 academy applicants by 2027.
Metrics for Success (By 2027)
Cut violent crime by 10% (from 1,834 to ~1,650 per 100,000).
Boost non-emergency police reports by 20% via police boxes.
Recruit 20 Rochester-resident officers through YPC.
Improve RPD trust by 15% in community surveys.
Push for at least one state law change on bail or youth crime.
Conclusion
Rochester can be a city where kids play safely and businesses thrive. My plan—tougher laws, local action, and smart programs like YPC—puts our community first. Visit www.marcus4rochester.com to learn more and join our fight for a safer Rochester.
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