RPD Major Crimes Captain expresses frustration with bail reform amid spike in violence

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — The Rochester Police Department says are arresting the same people over and over again.

According to the department, 18 teens were shot through Nov. 9 in 2011. This year that number is already up to 60.

Five teens were shot last night in two different shootings in the city. Police told us Wednesday that bail reform is a big issue for them. Part of their work on the ground is trying to learn the behaviors of these kids in different communities.

Capt. Frank Umbrino says they want to use the criminal justice system to help the rehabilitation process with kids in the community.

Umbrino said they’ve arrested the same kids over and over again, and in his opinion, it’s not a good use of resources. So, if a kid is caught stealing a car, Umbrino says they need to nip that behavior in the bud the first time it happens.

"When you catch the same kids over and over again, and you have to give them a ticket and let them go, you’re not going to help stop that behavior, I’m not saying out everyone in jail," Umbrino said. "What programs do we have in place to teach these kids to live by the norms of society and not hurt other people.”

Advocates say the legislation was badly needed to help people in underprivileged communities. They say it’s prevented a two-tiered justice system where poor people who haven’t committed any crime can’t pay to get out of jail while wealthy people can. Additionally, advocates have said the bigger issue is systemic violence, which they say. Is caused by a lack of resources needed to address poverty and other issues in black and brown communities.

Umbrino said that RPD is forthcoming about statistics and any information they can give at the time. He said he wants other agencies such as bail reform to do the same.