Rochester Mayor Malik Evans delivered his 2026 State of the City address, emphasizing significant improvements in public safety and substantial progress in affordable housing initiatives. He reported a dramatic reduction in gun violence metrics, reaching lows not seen since 2018, attributing this success to collaborative efforts and programs like the New York State Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative. The Mayor also highlighted the creation and renovation of over 3,200 affordable rental units since 2022, representing an investment exceeding $1.5 billion.
Rochester Mayor Malik Evans delivers his 2026 State of the City address at the theatre in Innovation Square Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Rochester, N.Y. — Rochester Mayor Malik Evans opened his State of the City address Wednesday night with a message of success on public safety .
"When violent crime and gun violence increased by exponential rates, we came together like never before to confront this unprecedented challenge," he said.in Rochester during the first quarter of 2026. During the same time frame last year, seven people were shot and killed. Although the overall number of shooting victims during that three-month time frame increased slightly this year compared to last, Evans said it's still a dramatic reduction from the unprecedented peaks of the pandemic. "By the end of 2025, almost all of our gun violence metrics had fallen to their lowest point since 2018," he said. "Two full years before the pandemic, and compared to 2021 the first full year of the pandemic, in the peak year for gun violence, those metrics fell by almost 60%."Police Chief David Smith credited ongoing efforts like his department's work with the New York State Gun Involved Violence Elimination program. "It is a New York State grant, but it's a lot more than money," Smith said. "It is data analysis, coordination, again, going after top repeat offenders in a coordinated, targeted manner."in July 2022. It is renewed every 30 days and was most recently extended April 2. It allows city leaders to close problematic streets and businesses and also makes partnerships with other law enforcement agencies easier. The address also highlighted a number of other initiatives, including affordable housing. Evans said Rochester has built or renovated more than 3,200 affordable rental units since 2022. That investment totals more than $1.5 billion. The city has also developed several programs including Buy the Block, Rochester Roots and Home Rochester to help nearly 400 families achieve home ownership by the end of 2027. "We're also working with real estate developers to build close to $600 million in market rate housing, which relieves upward pressure on rent prices and contributes to population growth," Evans said. Later this year, Evans said the city will underrtake a $300 million renovation of Andrews Terrace, preserving more than 500 affordable housing units for seniors in the downtown area.has created work opportunities for roughly 1,000 students reach year. He also highlighted the grant program that has allowed the city to launch a lifeguard development force, training enough lifeguards to open all city pools last summer for the first time in five years.A man is awaiting sentencing after being convicted of murder for a shooting that killed two people on the porch of a home on Rochester's north side in 2024.The Monroe County Legislature has passed a resolution that requires the Monroe County Sheriff's Office to disclose purchases of surveillance technology.Police said a Level 3 sex offender violated an order of protection minutes after he was released from prison following a conviction for raping a child.7 defendants to be tried separately in Sam Nordquist murder case The seven defendants charged with murder for the death of Sam Nordquist will be tried separately, according to the Ontario County District Attorney's Office.
Rochester Mayor State Of The City Address Public Safety Affordable Housing Gun Violence
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