City Newspaper Archives - 5/2007
DOWNTOWN: Retired cops may patrol Main Street
Published by Tim Louis Macaluso on May 11, 2007
Downtown Rochester isn't a high-crime area. But perception can be reality, and concern from nervous customers and business travelers about safety has led to an end of the Downtown Guides program. The Guides patrolled downtown streets and provided assistance and information - restaurant locations, for example. But hotel owners and other downtown business people say they want a stronger presence. And on May 15, City Council will vote on a request to create a new program.
Under the proposal, about 30 retired police officers would be recruited to become "eyes and ears" security officers, mostly to increase the comfort level of visitors.
The officers, who would not be armed, would wear red, white, and black uniforms and would patrol the Main Street corridor from East Avenue to State Street. The city would also install security cameras along the street.
The security officers would complement the foot patrols of active-duty police officers, says Rochester Police Chief David Moore. Whether the work should be made available to active officers in their off-duty hours is still being worked out with the police union, Moore said.
