Starting this weekend, no one under the age of 21 is permitted in Rochester’s East End

Rochester, New York – The East End entertainment zone in Rochester will be closed to anyone under the age of 21 starting this weekend. The statement follows a Sunday morning shooting on East Avenue that left a man dead.

A spike in gun violence led to the emergency order that included the ban in 2021. Rochester’s gun violence has decreased overall, according to Mayor Malik Evans’ statement on Thursday. But he added that the general people believed that certain areas, such as the East End, which has a number of pubs and eateries, are dangerous.

According to Police Chief David Smith, the East End “remains a problem.” The mayor may, for example, force a company to close early or dispatch state police in response to an emergency.

“You shouldn’t be visiting the entertainment sector to cause trouble; instead, you should be there to have fun. For everyone else, it is ruined by one individual. We’ve had enough of it. We want people to be free to enjoy themselves at bars and clubs without worrying about a few troublemakers breaking in and causing chaos,” Evans stated.

According to him, the declaration is an effective tool for holding property owners responsible for acts of violence in high-risk locations like the entertainment district. The mayor acknowledges that this would cause some trouble, but he feels that the city must make it clear that violence is not acceptable.

Shortly before Mayor Malik Evans’ scheduled press conference on crime, a security guard was shot at J.D. Oxford’s Pub on Monroe Avenue. The security guard is anticipated to be alright, according to the police, who are still searching for the perpetrator.

Mayor Evans gave the suspect a lot of attention. He remarked that those who infringe upon the safety and good time of others in public areas ought to face consequences. The mayor was questioned if he intended to apply this to J.D. Oxford’s.

We’ll be talking about JD Oxfords. Of course, there are security-related items that we would like to see there. I’ll say it again: it was yesterday night. However, it’s just something we are unable to accept. And it’s regrettable that people choose to pull out a gun in an incident where someone was trying to break up a fight while an individual was doing their job, Mayor Evans said. Instead of enjoying themselves at a bar, raising their glass, and celebrating, people choose to pull out firearms.

Using the emergency order, the city has closed nine businesses so far this year. The final step is that. It works with the owner on measures like shifting hours and hiring more security before it reaches that point.

According to the mayor, crime has returned to its pre-pandemic proportions. Murders are down 18% from the five-year average, while overall gunshots are down 34%. Evans, however, asserted that perceptions of criminality are equally significant.

“We want visitors to Rochester to enjoy themselves. However, you’re in for a surprise if you expect to show up, openly carry a gun, and obstruct the vast majority of Rochestarians who are attempting to enjoy their weekend. This next weekend, you’ll be able to witness our plan of action. We’re not going to put up with it,” he declared.

On Thursday morning outside JD Oxford, residents of the area expressed their belief that crime is on the rise nationwide and their lack of sense of security.

We contacted the city to inquire about the specifics of the law enforcement’s implementation of the End End’s 21 and over restriction. We’re awaiting a response.

Evans did not provide an estimated duration for the ban. Evans has the authority to enforce these curfews as long as the gun violence emergency order is in force, which has been renewed every 30 days for over two years.