Some Fear RPD's New Cool Down Detail May Not Work
By: Cierra Putman
Updated: July 3, 2012
Rochester police say they have a plan for dealing with the city's recent increase in gun violence. It's called the cool down detail but it's already facing opposition.
The mayor and chief say it will curb violence and get illegal guns off the streets but some fear it will just cause a bigger rift between police and city residents.
Councilman Adam McFadden says it's a bad idea that will lead to racial profiling and will negatively impact otherwise la abiding citizens.
"It's just not going to do anything to curb violence," McFadden said. "People who commit crime in our city aren't stupid. They figure it out and to me. We have very blatant drug markets that are allowed to operate without agitation in our city. If they just suppressed that they'd get the response that they're looking for and people would not be upset with them."
This is turning out to be a deadly year. At this time in 2011 there were 14 homicides. This year, the number is 21 homicides.
The Cool Down Detail requires more officers patrolling neighborhoods on foot, bikes and patrol cars.
Chief James Sheppard believes focusing on making legal traffic stops will help them uncover illegal guns.
However, He says officers need more community help to stop the violence. Some city residents say it will make them feel safer.
