Rochester Officials Tout Declines in Crime in 2025; Leaders Say Work Is Not Done

Rochester Police Chief David Smith and Mayor Malik Evans at a press conference, highlighted progress in public safety in 2025

City of Rochester public safety leaders on Tuesday provided an overview of crime statistics for 2025, highlighting significant declines in violent crime while urging continued efforts to address persistent challenges.

In a year-end briefing, Rochester Police Chief David Smith and Mayor Malik Evans said nearly all major gun violence metrics fell to their lowest levels in years, continuing a trend of reductions in violent crime.

According to the city, non-fatal shootings dropped from 206 incidents in 2024 to 162 in 2025 — a notable decrease that city officials pointed to as a sign of progress.  Homicides also declined for the fourth consecutive year, contributing to what Mayor Evans described as “the lowest levels since 2018” for many violent crime categories.

“We are gratified because these numbers give us a high degree of confidence that our strategy is working,” Evans said, acknowledging the sustained commitment of both law enforcement and community partners.

Despite the overall declines, Evans stressed that no amount of gun violence is acceptable. He pointed to underlying “troubling signs” and specific incidents that underscore the ongoing need for intervention, including a December shootout in the city’s 19th Ward in which three Rochester police officers and a civilian were wounded.

Chief Smith noted that the Rochester Police Department’s Non-Fatal Shooting Unit continues to make progress, closing roughly half of such cases — a rate he said is above national averages.

Officials also highlighted that more than 180 RPD officers were injured on duty in 2025, including those involved in the December incident, all of whom have since been released from the hospital.

City leaders reiterated that they will continue to use tools like the ongoing gun violence state of emergency to address crime hotspots and leverage closure orders against properties associated with violence.

Evans said continued focus on violence prevention — including community programs and environmental design efforts — remains central to reducing crime and improving safety across Rochester neighborhoods.