Latest news with #GeneralOrder502
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Survey: 70% of Rochester residents seek police accountability
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — New data surveyed by the Rochester Police Accountability Board showed nearly 70 percent of people say the city is not doing enough to hold police accountable and they want to see the board hold disciplinary authority. The responses were collected throughout the past few months. Executive Director Dr. Lesli Myers-Small said the survey was initiated to gauge community perceptions on the Police Accountability Board's practices and discipline powers. The 21-page report includes both quantitative and qualitative analyses, leading to action plans the board said they want to implement. 'This is about the accountability, the transparency, and making sure that we follow up on concerns,' Dr. Myers-Small said. Dr. Myers-Small said the community's input is valued — wanting to make sure every voice is uplifted as the entity was created by the community. 'We had naysayers, people who don't believe in what I do, in what we do as an agency, people who might not like the concept of a police accountability board. So, we wanted to look at that,' Dr. Myers-Small said. Out of 212 responses, the majority said they want to see investigative reports administered by the board published and would like to be better informed in how to file complaints. Respondents also noted underrepresentation from Hispanic, youth, and non-English speaking communities. 'We know that we might not change hearts, we might not change minds, but we want to make sure that people have the correct information about what we do,' Dr. Myers-Small said. Dr. Myers-Small said the board will re-engage the Police Accountability Board Alliance to strengthen accountability, as well as share investigative findings with policy makers and host forums to build deeper trust with the community. Dr. Myers-Small also emphasized her relationship with Rochester Police Chief David Smith. 'We meet monthly, and we have really robust conversations about the work that we are doing. I get to have a better understanding from him what's going on, and it's a very collaborative, mutual, respectful relationship,' Dr. Myers-Small said. News 8 asked Dr. Myers-Small about the Board's reaction to the body-worn camera footage released of the controversial ICE arrest in Rochester at the end of March. She said the board had been reviewing the City's General Order 502 before the incident occurred. 'We really try to make sure that we're keeping our ear to the ground relative to things that are going on in the community. And we knew with the, you know, the new administration, that this is something that certainly is a priority for them, you know, immigration and ICE,' Dr. Myers-Small said. 'We actually make recommendations to the chief or to city council on police matters. So that's that was a very contemporary issue that we took a look at.' Dr. Myers-Small also said she feels the board is heading in the right direction and spotlighted the collaboration between the collaboration between her and Chief David Smith and said that will continue at a meeting next month to invite the board to see how viewing footage from the blue light cameras around the city operate to ensure public safety. A full version of the PAB's survey can be found on its website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
ICE presence confirmed in Rochester amid immigration crackdown
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – In the middle of the ICE Immigration crackdown across the United States under the Trump Administration, Rochester Mayor Malik Evans spoke about operations here in recent days. Evans said while he knows ICE agents were in Rochester, he has not received an update or clarity about the outcome of their operations. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement has been here previously but the mayor says they never get an alert of what's happening and does not coordinate with their efforts. Mayor Evans added in a statement that he recognizes there is a degree of fear from the ongoing rhetoric around Immigration crackdowns. He encourages refugees and immigrants in the area to be fully aware of their rights. According to ICE, hundreds of migrants across the United States have been arrested over the past few days including nearly 1,000 on Sunday alone. News 8 also spoke with the head of City Council Miguel Melendez who said, 'I am aware of at least three, now, visits in the City of Rochester that are confirmed visits, home visits. I don't know what the details are, I don't know what they entail other than they're going after very specific people in the community and our understanding at this point-and-time is they are not people who are criminals. They are family members that are here either on asylum or other types of status so we're trying to understand why these individuals are being targeted at this time.' Rochester is what is known as a 'sanctuary city' and while the term is not legally binding, it does mean there are certain protections and resources in the community to support individuals who are undocumented. Additionally, the Rochester Police Department does not have legal authority to enforce immigration detainers. This is laid out in section P-75-17 under RPD's training bulletin, 'Sanctuary City Resolution' as well as under General Order 502 'Equitable Policing.''Many of the people who are here in Rochester – and who are here in Monroe County – are here legally and they have rights to be here and they have migrated to this community; some of them have asylum status, some of them have Temporary Protected Status. There's many different ways that you can enter this country and they have done so, in a legal way. So for those individuals, I hope that we are able to protect them and provide them the resources to continue to live and be thriving members of our community,' Melendez said. Right now, organizations working with those in the migrant community are making sure individuals are educated in their rights. 'There's a lot of moving parts and I think that's where the uncertainty comes because we've had a slew of Executive Orders in the last week — hard to keep up with all the changing times; at the same time, though, it's important that we don't lose sight that there are rights that people do have and it is going to be important in the next couple weeks that we spend time unpacking this making sure people are aware of it and everyone in this community needs to spend the energy to understand the laws,' added Melendez. The American Civil Liberties Union issued guidance for those under various status to review for their rights as well as the New York Immigration Coalition. News8 is also learning of red palm cards with 'Know Your Rights' facts being distributed among the immigrant community, seen here. Full Statement from Mayor Malik Evans: I was made aware that federal immigration officials were in the Rochester region this weekend but have not received any information about the outcome of their presence. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has operated in our region in the past, and does not alert, coordinate with, or involve local governments or law enforcement in their activities. I recognize there is a degree of fear and concern being caused by the current rhetoric around immigration enforcement, and encourage refugees and immigrants living in the Greater Rochester area to be fully aware of their rights. The City of Rochester will work closely with our partners at the local, regional and state levels, and will share information as soon as we receive it. News8 reached out to I.C.E. officials for comment regarding these visits and have not yet received a response. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
