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RPD Chief Says Changing School Bus Schedules Can Stop Fights Outside Transit Center

Democrat and Chronicle

A Facebook video showing people fighting outside the RTS Transit Center has sparked new interest in an old issue. Rochester Police Chief Ciminelli says they're doing all they can to keep the transit center safe, but thinks more can be done.

"This is a phenomenon that's been going on for some time. We think the basic problem is this transportation plan."

Ciminelli says bussing large numbers of students to a central location creates an opportunity for these incidences to occur, and that providing more security only "puts a band-aid" on the problem.

"You know, one of the definitions you hear of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Well, we've changed locations, we've changed that central point, but we haven't changed that fundamental problem."

Ciminelli says the RPD has made suggestions to the school district to change the transportation plan, but they've gotten no feedback.

A statement from Mayor Lovely Warren reads:

We call on the district to implement the suggestions outlined by the Police Chief and RTS so that all of our citizens can be safe while traveling to and from work and school.”

The city school district issued this response:

"Of 9,469 city students transported by RTS buses—who attend city schools, charter schools, and private schools—only about 30 percent have routes that transfer downtown. The District spends an additional five million dollars for 70 percent of students to have Express Routes.

The District is responsible for providing safe transport of students to and from school, but cannot be held accountable for the behavior of all young people in the community anywhere they choose to gather.

Superintendent Vargas is always available to collaborate on ways to improve community safety. However, the schools cannot take responsibility for solving every issue of violence and poor behavior exhibited by young people in our city. We need community solutions that engage everyone, especially our young people and their families."

Veronica Volk is a senior editor and producer for WXXI News.