Report Reveals Most Crimes Have Hit a 25-Year Low in the City of Rochester

According to the Rochester Police Department, crime is at a 25-year low. The statistics were released in a news conference on Thursday, Feb. 19, which featured Mayor Lovely Warren and Police Chief Michael Ciminelli.

Mayor Warren and Chief Ciminelli both cited the homicide clearance rate for the city, which is at 78%. This figure is almost twice the national average for cases cleared of homicide charges.

The city has also solved 84% of its homicide cases, including one that occurred at a school bus stop.

Homicides, shootings and robberies all decreased last year and represent a downward trend in violent crimes.

However, the police did note that the number of car thefts and rapes went up. Motor vehicle thefts increased by 11% from 534 to 594 between 2013 and 2014. The number is 17% below the five-year average of 714, though.

Additionally, sexual assaults increased 28%, from 86 reported cases in 2013 to 110 last year. This number rose 13% over the five-year average of 98. In 70% of cases, the victims knew their assailants.

Mayor Warren said that the police aim to crack down on these crimes. Victims, she said, “need to know if they come forward we’re going to do our best to hold the people who committed these acts accountable.”

And this challenge is getting easier as more people cooperate with police and provide tips to help them solve crimes. The city’s police department has also reorganized to help put more officers back in neighborhoods.

Overall, the report could mean good things for the city. Homicides dropped 19% from 42 to 35 and were below the five-year average of 36 by 4.5%. The number of shooting victims also decreased to 187 from 228 in 2013. In total, violent crimes fell by 17% from 1,963 to 1,631 crimes, 21% below the five-year average of 2,066.

Also highlighted in the report was the decrease in property crimes. Although violent crime is at its lowest in 10 years, property crimes haven’t been this low since 25 years prior.

This could especially entice more homeowners to buy property in the city of Rochester. With crime lowered and features like secured garage doors, houses can see a 1 – 4% increase in selling value.

Overall, property crimes fell 10% from 9,845 incidents to 8,828. The five-year average for property crimes is 10,975, so the numbers for 8,828 represent a decrease by 20%.

Major crimes that fall into the FBI’s “Part 1 Crime” category, are at a 25-year low, as are robbery and aggravated assaults.