Rochester Mayor Malik Evans and city officials emphasize the urgent need for new legislation during a gathering to remember crime victims, exacerbated by the city’s ongoing gun violence state of emergency. Since 2022, the city has seen over 28 shooting victims in 2025 alone, with seven fatalities reported thus far, prompting local leaders to call for dramatic changes in how New York State handles violent crime.
During the event, domestic violence survivor Ashley shared a harrowing account of her experience with systemic failures, highlighting the inadequacies of current laws that allowed her ex-husband, after making violent threats, to receive only an appearance ticket. Sheriff Todd Baxter echoed the call for clearer definitions of dangerous offenders to better protect victims and prevent future tragedies, reinforcing the push for critical legislative reforms to address these ongoing issues.
Read full story at www.rochesterfirst.com
