In the aftermath of devastating violent crime, like the Genesee Street shooting, the community will ask inevitably ask, Why?
Rochester Locust Police Club President Mike Mazzeo says answers to that question, and solutions offered by community leaders, are often too vague.
"We have to do more than talk. We have to do more than just say, 'Everybody in the community's gotta support and come together.' And I think, what I'm hearing from the people I'm talking to is that we're tired of the talk and we want action."
Mazzeo says the Locust Club has specific suggestions, all stemming from the idea that officers need better support from leadership to do their job. He says there is inadequate staffing, and not enough tools in place to get guns off the streets.
But a statement from the RPD denies the claims, saying their staffing is actually above the national average, and that firearm seizures are up over 40% from this time last year.
Mazzeo also points to failures in the reorganization plan. He's been critical of the plan since before it was implemented, saying there are insufficient resources to carry it out successfully.
"Community policing is based on officers taking different actions in uncommitted time. Well, we don't have uncommitted time. We're barely covering calls for service."
The locust club is calling to meet with leadership to discuss their suggestions.
