Mayor, Police Chief Team Up For "Voice of the Citizen"

"I don't want anyone to go through this, it's hard, it's a daily struggle. People think because my son passed away in July, I am okay. I m not okay, I will never be okay," said Mahogany Dodd, mother of Raven Cooper.

The shot that killed Mahagony Dodd's son in July has pierced her heart.

"Who I was, I am not that person now. I am lost. I am hurt. Nothing can replace my kid. It's just a dream now," said Dodd, who's son was shot and killed on Bay Street.

Thanksgiving wasn't the same this year.

"I had like 2 pies that I had to throw away, with Raven wouldn't have had to thrown nothing away," said Dodd.

And Christmas won't be either.

Dodd is one of dozens of Rochester mothers who have cried tears this year.

There have been 37 homicides to date.

In 2011, there were 31 homicides.

"There is too much of it," said Mayor Tom Richards, (D) Rochester.

So Mayor Tom Richard is teaming with Police Chief Jim Sheppard

"As we finish this year, which in some cases was a very tough year for us, we thought it was time to get out there and really reach into the community," said Chief James Sheppard, Rochester Police.

Starting this month, they'll bring what are called "Voice of the Citizen" meetings to neighborhoods throughout Rochester.

Crime is the target.

"Hopefully from the input we get we will be able to put strategies together that will help us address these issues," said Chief Sheppard.

They want the community to help them deal with rochester's violence.

"What's also important is not to just deal with the fact but the perception," said Mayor Richards.

Dodd wants other mothers to save their tears.

"It takes voice, if you are not a voice, the police department, they don't know what's happening unless you go and inform them what was happening," said Dodd.

The chief and mayor say speaking up is a part of the solution.

"We want them to know that our heart is in it," said Chief Sheppard.

The four forums are as follows:

Tuesday, December 11 - Frederick Douglass Resource Center
Tuesday, January 15^th - Carter Street Recreation Center
Tuesday, January 29^th - Edgerton Stardust Ballroom
Tuesday, February 5^th - Cobbs Hill Park, Lake Riley Lodge

All of the forums go from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.