Rochester Bans Groups Of Ten Or More, Is Buffalo Next?

While this seems to happen every summer in urban areas around the nation, the uptick in crime that has hit various American cities this year has many communities ringing the alarm a little harder than they normally do. This is especially true in the Empire State, as several New York Cities saw some major violence happen during the 4th of July weekend festivities.

In an effort to combat the violence uptick, the city of Rochester, New York, declared a state of emergency after several people were shot. Using some of the emergency powers granted to him, Rochester Mayor Malik Evans issued an executive order making gatherings of ten or more people illegal, and gave police the authority to arrest people who are in large gatherings.

That move now has people in other Empire State cities wondering if they can do the same, including the City of Good Neighbors.

Buffalo Making Moves To Curb Violence

Now that Buffalo has had two weekends with added patrols and restrictions in its main entertainment district, city officials are looking at legal ways to implement new restrictions on public activities. While the idea that the local government wants to restrict your freedoms should cause everyone to pause, it's clear that something needs to be done to make the streets safer for people who are gathering together in groups.

Cities like Baltimore have seen double-digit decreases in various crime stats by investing in more people-based programs like improved access to community centers.

There is a lot of summer left, so community leaders from Brooklyn to Buffalo have thier work cut out for them in the coming weeks.