Rochester's Crisis Intervention Services report on violent crime response and victim support

The Rochester Against Gun Violence Monthly Meeting, held on March 1, 2023, focused on critical discussions surrounding gun violence and community support initiatives. The meeting began with a report on crime statistics, revealing that there have been 64 crime guns, including 13 handguns and 6 ghost guns, reported this year. Captain Murrah noted the presence of conversion guns, specifically mentioning one Glock switch linked to a crime, and agreed to provide further details on conversion guns in future meetings.

Ty Clark raised concerns about tracking the long-term effects of violent crime on individuals, particularly regarding recidivism rates and the impact on victims who have suffered permanent disabilities. Captain Murrah acknowledged the importance of this issue but indicated that the police department primarily responds to incidents rather than tracking long-term outcomes. He suggested that organizations like Pathways or Aaliyah Hinton's group might have more information on this topic.

Aaliyah Hinton Williams then provided an update on the Crisis Intervention Services Unit, which supports community members facing crises, trauma, and victimization. She outlined the unit's three teams: the homicide response team, which assists families at the time of a homicide; the person in crisis pick team, which includes emergency response social workers; and the community support team, which offers counseling and victim assistance services.

The meeting underscored the ongoing challenges of gun violence in Rochester and highlighted the collaborative efforts between law enforcement and community organizations to address the aftermath of violent incidents. Further discussions and follow-up actions are anticipated in future meetings as the community seeks to enhance support for victims and reduce gun violence.