Safe Streets Task Force called ‘crucial’ by RPD

The Safe Streets Task Force, a joint operation between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Rochester Police Department, made possible a string of arrests capping off a yearlong drug-ring investigation.

At a news conference last week, Captain Greg Bello, RPD spokesperson, credited the investigation’s success, which included over 20 arrests and illegal firearm seizures to the task force.

“That collaboration is what leads to safe execution of these (arrest) warrants,” Bello said. “That’s a credit to the professionalism, the partnership, and the training of all of the law enforcement agencies involved in this.”

Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and Explosives, New York State Police, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team, and the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office were also involved in the investigation.

Alan Davies, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Buffalo field office, said the Safe Streets Task Force “brings together the FBI, Rochester Police Department, and our federal, state, and local partners, including all who stand behind me today with one mission: Identify the individuals driving violence, take down their criminal activity, and get them off Rochester streets.”

The task force started in June and embedded FBI resources into RPD’s special investigation section. Bello called them “crucial” in long-term investigations specifically for both narcotics and weapons trafficking.

“Our commitment to Rochester doesn’t end when the summer does,” said Davies. “That’s why FBI Buffalo created a Rochester Safe Streets Task Force. We want to build on the momentum of numerous investigations and strengthen our partnerships in this fight against violent crime.”

Although he said the task force will last until after the summer months, its duration remains uncertain. Bello declined to comment on any timelines or resources that were provided by the FBI. 

The Safe Streets Task Force, which is also in place in other cities, including Buffalo, will remain operational until further notice, according to the FBI. While the FBI shares intelligence and personnel with other agencies, the natural outgrowth of teamwork between forces is the key ingredient for success, the agency says.

According to RPD reports, even though the city saw a surge of firearm-related homicides during the pandemic, violent crime has declined sharply over the last 15 years. Halfway through 2026, Rochester had five homicides—the fewest at this point in the year, dating back to 2011. Only one this year has been by firearm, also the lowest number ever.

This decline has continued even though RPD has reported a staffing shortage of up to 120 officers this year. Some recent efforts to change this include the graduation of nine recruits from its workforce development program in June, raising the age cap for new recruits to 42, and promoting the military’s SkillBridge program, which allows service members to gain civilian work experience through industry training, apprenticeships, or internships during their last half-year of service.

In addition, the city of Rochester posted a highly produced recruitment video this week entitled “Join the RPD.”

However, Davies believes the task force and, more broadly, crime prevention cannot be measured by numbers alone.

“This isn’t just about statistics on a page. Every gun we take off the street is one less weapon that can be used against a family in Western New York,” he said. “Every violent criminal we remove is one less person on the streets threatening us in our communities where we live. If you are carrying illegal guns, trafficking in illegal narcotics, if you are terrorizing the neighborhoods of Rochester, we are coming for you.”

Jacob Schermerhorn is a Rochester Beacon contributing writer and data journalist.

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