Officers step up patrols, arrests

After the first weekend of increased police patrols, Rochester city officials say they are on their way to stopping the violence.

“I'm hoping we fill the court dockets up,” said Police Chief David Moore.

In the last four days, police have put close to 80 extra officers in city neighborhoods each day.

“Crime is about opportunity, and we're putting omnipresence out there, so it should reduce the violence,” Moore said.

And more help is on its way. Starting Tuesday evening, city, state and Monroe County officers will be teaming up as part of “Project Impact,” a state-sponsored program.

“We're working very closely with the city and the state police to be able to address some of the issues, especially when we've seen some of the violence we've seen lately,” said Patrick O’Flynn, Monroe County Sheriff.

That includes the brutal murder of Latasha Shaw, 36, and the shooting death of community activist, 49-year-old James Slater. So now, police say they are being more aggressive in targeting youth gangs, drug dealers and gang violence.

“What I like to see is good, hard-nose police work,” Moore said.

“I think with that we're also sending a message back to the community that we're here to support,” O’Flynn said.

So far, Moore says it’s cost thousands of dollars to fund overtime for officers.