Mayor Evans announces changes to keep public spaces safe following MLK Park shooting

Editor’s note: The full press conference was streamed on this page at 6:15 p.m. You can watch the full press conference at the bottom of this page.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – Mayor Malik Evans has announced multiple changes happening in the City of Rochester to address illegal gatherings and related gun violence in the city.

Two notable changes include the early closing of MLK Park, and the closure of a portion of Court Street every night until further notice.

This follows after a shooting that occurred at MLK Park overnight Sunday that left multiple people injured.

Mayor Evans mentions a change made at MLK Park, closing the park at 8:00 p.m. instead of the original 11:00 p.m. closing time. Evans also says the city will be ‘camping down’ on the groups at the park after hours, with police positioned at the park in the overnight hours.

Police say if anyone is found at the park after hours, they will be asked to leave or they will be removed.

A section of Court Street between Chestnut Street and the Traffic Circle will also close at 7:00 p.m. every night.

Both of these changes are listed as active until further notice in cooperation with city security.

These changes are part of the city’s effort to crack down on these illegal gatherings and limit gun violence throughout the city.

Mayor Evans addressed the media at the Public Safety Building at 6:15 p.m.

You can the full press conference here:

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.