Rochester Is Using Data to Build Safer Streets. Businesses Stand a Lot to Gain.
Guest post from Greater Rochester Chamber Measures for Justice
Public safety matters to us all. It’s both a neighborhood and a business imperative. Safer streets attract customers, support staff, and strengthen Rochester’s overall business climate. The good news is: Rochester is modeling how cities can improve safety with transparent data, community partnerships, and decision-makers working directly with the people they serve.
Across the city, residents, business owners, and civic leaders have been using the Rochester Police Department (RPD) Commons—developed by Measures for Justice. The RPD Commons is a public dashboard showing policing data and trends—to better understand how RPD does its work. The dashboard gives everyone, including Rochester’s business community, the ability to identify problems and pursue solutions backed by data.
Neighborhood Insights Down to the Census Tract
At a recent Beachwood Neighborhood Coalition meeting, the agenda was clear: petty crime. Using RPD Commons, they filtered data down to specific census tracts to see when and where incidents were occurring. Crucially, Deputy Chief Sammy Drayton joined the meeting, giving attendees a rare level of access. When decision-makers are in the room, questions get answered and commitments get made on the spot, like adjusting patrols during peak times.
Business Districts Now Have the Support They Need
At a Downtown Property Manager and Owner Meeting, business owners discussed rising concerns around vagrancy, property damage, and disruptive behavior near storefronts. In the past, they’ve had to rely on experience and anecdotes to advocate for safer streets. Now, they can back their concerns with data—trends, response times (a current RPD performance priority), and geographic patterns.
With Commons, business groups can have more informed conversations about where targeted patrols could support foot traffic, improve evening activity, and encourage shoppers, diners, and employees to enjoy the city.
Shared Data, Shared Goals
Whether it’s homeowners focused on property values, families concerned about street safety, or employers working to protect staff and customers, everyone is using the same data. Instead of competing priorities, Rochester is building common ground for collaborative action that benefits the entire city.
Accountability You Can Measure
Over the coming months, as business districts and neighborhood groups continue using Commons, they’ll be able to:
- Track publicly set policy goals
- Monitor changes in response times
- See shifts in crime patterns over time
- Align advocacy efforts with real, verifiable data
The immediate impact, however, is cultural: Rochester is learning to speak a shared language of data that empowers residents and businesses alike, improves collaboration with RPD, and supports a safer, more predictable environment for commerce.
For business owners, this means something powerful: a safer city built in partnership with the people who live and work here. Watch this video to hear more about what the Rochester Community is saying about Commons.
If you have any questions or would like to know more about Commons, please contact Measures for Justice.