The number of shootings in the city has spiked over the past two months according to data released by the Rochester Police Department.
The report shows there have been 31 shooting incidents since November 1st, and 14 since Christmas. That’s nearly double the number of shootings over the same period the previous year.
Rochester Police Chief James Sheppard says the city is not going to tolerate the increase in crime, "Everyone knows I always say pray for rain and embrace the snow but we're not going to wait for a blizzard to come and help us out. We're going to take care of business here in Rochester."
Sheppard says the first part of "taking care of business" is adding anywhere from 15 to 30 additional officers to Rochester's eastside.That's where he says there's been an uptick in crime, particularly the Beechwood neighborhood.
He says police will also begin making more traffic stops and more strictly enforcing traffic laws targeting bicyclists without proper lights and jaywalkers.
Sheppard says three arrests have been made so far in a string of home invasions in the city's northeast neighborhoods.