Safety in our neighborhood, as well as safety in our larger community, is a high priority for most area residents. Crimes are often devastating to individual victims and disruptive to the community at-large, while high crime rates or the perception of crime problems can affect property values and the spirit of a community. Another concern is disparities in arrests and incarceration, with far higher rates among some racial and ethnic groups, in particular African Americans.  

Serious crimes fell 53% in the region from 2000 to 2021 more than the 44% statewide decline. In 2021, there were 165 serious crimes per 10,000 residents in the region, below the state rate.

Our region’s rate of violent crime increased 12% from 2000 to 2021, in contrast to a decline of 30% in the state. The City of Rochester had a 13% increase in violent crime during this time. While the state experienced declines in violent crime, most counties in our region saw an increase, with the exceptions of Livingston and Wyoming.

Between 2009 and 2021, reports of domestic violence declined somewhat in the region, falling 4%.  The City of Rochester’s rate of 131 reports per 10,000 residents was more than double the regional rate of 59 in 2021.

Arrests have been declining in the region, falling 44% since 2000, though disparities among racial and ethnic groups were striking. In 2021, the arrest rate for black or African American residents was 43 per 10,000, compared to 17 for Hispanic or Latino residents and 8 for whites. 

Similarly, incarceration rates dropped 29% in the region from 2005 to 2021. Based on 2018 data, rates were dramatically higher for black or African Americans (86 per 10,000), compared to Hispanic or Latinos (8) and whites (17).