Reports of looting and other acts of violence continue to pop up Saturday night, hours after the chaos outside the Public Safety Building in Rochester.
Law enforcement agencies across the area have taken protective measures to address these incidents, as well as to be prepared in the event of violent activity.
In Rochester, police continue to enforce the 9 p.m. curfew ordered by Mayor Lovely Warren.
Person running from a hair salon or some type place, appears to be have been looted.
— Tanner (@T_Jubenville) May 31, 2020
Fire, EMS and Police at a plaza on Lake and Lexington. Stores looted and set on fire. Fire is under control. @13WHAM pic.twitter.com/h3A5na4Tun
— Brian Houseman (@HousemanNEWS) May 31, 2020
Fire, EMS and Police at a plaza on Lake and Lexington. Stores looted and set on fire. Fire is under control. @13WHAM pic.twitter.com/h3A5na4Tun
— Brian Houseman (@HousemanNEWS) May 31, 2020
An officer tells 13WHAM a group attempted a break-in to The Mall at Greece Ridge, but police were able to disperse the individuals involved before any serious damage was done.
Police vehicles will remain in the area of West Ridge for duration of the night.
Earlier in the evening, reports of looting came out of Irondequoit in the area of East Ridge Road.
This article will be updated.
UPDATE (8:45 p.m.) – Rochester’s leaders called those responsible for acts of violence near the Public Safety Building Saturday afternoon as “anarchists” from outside the area.
Mayor Lovely Warren, Rochester Police Chief La’Ron Singletary, Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter and others spoke during a news conference after 8 p.m. Saturday.
Warren said the acts of disruption following Saturday’s peaceful protests took away from the true meaning of the gathering.
“Today in Martin Luther King Park, many people of all races, ethnicities and cultures came together peacefully to express their anger and to call for change,” said Warren, “and I know that Dr. King smiled down on this city, from Heaven, proud of the words that were spoken…proud of the people that marched across the Court Street Bridge.”
“Unfortunately,” she continued, “after this group of people left, outsiders – and I do mean outsiders not from our city, not from our community, decided to set police cars on fire. Look at the videos. Show those pictures. Their actions set other events into motion and effectively overshadowed the meaningful moment that the organizers of today’s earlier event worked collectively to create. Those that are driving this violence are not of this city.”
Chief Singletary says police will be strictly enforcing the 9 p.m. curfew. At this point, he said it is not clear whether any officers were hurt in Saturday’s series of events.
“What you saw here today was not a protest,” said Singletary. “This was chaos, pure chaos, not a protest. What happened today was sparked by anarchists, individuals in the crowd who were antagonists. My officers today showed great restraint…and right now, they’re out here fighting for this community.”
Sheriff Todd Baxter said the “anarchists” who incited Saturday’s violence may be responsible for looting reports in various parts of our area.
“They may be drifting off, but we’re going to find them,” said Sheriff Baxter. “If they’re anarchists that started this downtown, law enforcement will hold them accountable.
Warren pledged solidarity with those who peacefully protested Saturday against racial injustice, saying she and other local leaders will continue to stand with them.
“This is not something that we are going to run away from,” said Warren. “I will be here with you, as I stand with you now. Not at home, watching from a TV station, not hiding, but standing alongside you – hurt, angry, frustrated, disappointed and, yes, even afraid. But I still take responsibility for the change that is necessary to ensure that everyone – black, brown, and white can live in a more just community and society.”
RTS says it will be stopping service for the remainder of the night Saturday. Wegmans has closed all stores across Monroe County early in line with the 9 p.m. curfew.
UPDATE (8 p.m.) – Monroe County Executive Adam Bello announced a state of emergency has declared a state of emergency throughout Monroe County Saturday, along with a 9 p.m. curfew.
Moments ago I declared a State of Emergency and signed an order declaring a curfew to go into effect at 9:00pm tonight, Saturday, May 30, 2020. For the safety of our community I’m asking everyone to stay home.
Rochester, N,Y. – Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren has declared a state of emergency in the city following violent protests Saturday, issuing a 9 p.m. curfew.
Saturday, following peaceful protests against racial injustice held in Rochester, tensions began to rise between some individuals near the Public Safety Building and police.
MORE: After peaceful protest in Rochester, chaos erupts outside Public Safety Building
Multiple vehicles near the scene were set on fire, and 13WHAM’s crews at the scene reported tear gas was deployed.
In the emergency declaration, City Hall said the order was issued due to risk of rioting and disorderly conduct potentially putting people and property at risk.
The curfew will extend through 7 a.m.
— WHAM 13