June 7, 2021 FOR IMMEDIATE

RELEASE

CONTACT:
Danielle Lorenzo
Public Relations Specialist
Danielle@EdgeAdGroup.com
Office: 585-218-0011
Mobile: 585-200-7788

ROCHESTER POLICE LOCUST CLUB STATEMENT ON POLICE ENCOUNTERS OVER THE WEEKEND

ROCHESTER, NY – The Rochester Police Locust Club has released the following statement regarding the armed
encounters this past weekend:

“Over the weekend we have had at least six police officers injured in several incidents throughout the city. Some of those
injuries involved the most dangerous situation that a police officer can face when dealing with an armed individual.
Unfortunately almost immediately, the public’s attention is drawn to the actions of the police officers. There will always be
a review conducted, especially when a police officer uses any type of force.

What is not being addressed is the close face-to-face encounters with individuals who are armed and are willing to make use
of a firearm against a police officer. When police officers are on the ground fighting with an individual who has a firearm
that the officers cannot get control of, the first public alarm should be “do everything possible to get these individuals off
the streets”.

As the officers struggled with an individual in possession of a gun and not secured, bystanders surrounded the officers
shouting and taking cell phone videos. At any moment, that loaded pistol could have gone off multiple times striking the
officers and the individuals that were encroaching on the officers.

There will be time in any situation to review the actions of police officers using force. The point in time in which an
individual is being disarmed is not the time for anyone to interfere. The p ublic needs to stand up now and speak for the
victims of gun violence. It is also time to support police officers who are risking their lives taking armed suspects into
custody.

This past weekend officers were fired on first while taking a dangerous suspect into custody. The second incident officers
were able to prevent an armed suspect from firing a loaded weapon as they wrestled on the ground to take him into custody.
These incidents involved individuals in which information was gathered to make an arres t. Individuals that were being
investigated for firearms related crimes, and at the time of apprehension had loaded firearms in their possession.

The levels of violence with firearms in this city is unprecedented. No child, no adult, and no police officer are safe with
individuals armed with illegal firearms committing violent attacks in our city.

If our streets are not safe, no one is safe.”

ABOUT THE ROCHESTER POLICE LOCUST CLUB

The Rochester Police Locust Club is a union that represents 700 law enforcement officers who work for the City of
Rochester. The organization is dedicated to protecting the rights and working conditions of police officers, and to
continually improving law enforcement efforts to protect and serve the citizens of Rochester. Founded in 1904, the Locust
Club also has a long and rich tradition of giving back to the local community through volunteer work and charitable
donations. The Rochester Police Locust Club is located at 1425 Lexington Avenue, Rochester, NY. For more informa tion,
please visit Locustclub.org.

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