Keeping Downtown Safe and Friendly
Downtown is safe, but remember these tips!
Park in well-lit areas -- Don't leave any valuables visible in your car -- Put valuables in your trunk before you park (cell phones, laptops, GPS, wallets, etc.). Doing it after you park might be observed by someone who could then break your driver's window and open your car's inside trunk lever -- Always lock your vehicle -- Don't carry a purse or wallet if you do not need one -- Walk with someone or ask for a security escort -- Have your car keys out and ready when you return to your vehicle -- If you have concerns about your safety, call 3-1-1 or 9-1-1 -- Do NOT give anything to panhandlers!!
Call 732-8808 to schedule a Red Shirt to walk you, a colleague, or employee to your cars on Monday - Friday, 3:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Safety Services
On behalf of visitors, workers, and residents, seven days a week the Downtown Safety Services Red Shirts team keeps downtown safe and accessible. Safety Team members cover 13 distinct downtown neighborhoods, making their rounds on bicycles and on foot. All team members are retired and off-duty law enforcement personnel, bringing experience and training to the job. Approachable and helpful, the Safety team serves as ambassadors and public information resources.
Call 732-8808 to schedule a Red Shirt to walk you, a colleague, or employee to your cars on Monday - Friday, 3:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Information Services
The Information Services specialists provide directions and information to downtown workers, residents, and visitors at the Downtown Information Center located in the heart of the Convention and Hotel District at the corner of Main and St. Paul Streets. The Information Center is open Monday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m to 4:00 pm.
Building on their relationship with literally all of the downtown street-level businesses, the Information team updates information on hundreds of downtown restaurants, nightclubs, retailers, and services and amenities for the popular www.RochesterDowntown.com website.
Downtown Information Center
The Downtown Information Center is located at 120 East Main Street, at the corner of Main and St. Paul Streets in the heart of the Convention and Hotel District. Stop in Monday – Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and you will find information about activities, entertainment, shopping, and services - “Everything Downtown”.
For quick information call us at (585) 232-3420.
Downtown Special Services, Inc.
The program was developed in 1994 in response to business community concerns about the perception of safety downtown. The program is operated by Downtown Special Services, Inc. (DSSI), a not-for-profit organization created by the Rochester Downtown Development Corporation. DSSI is governed by an eleven-member Board of Directors and a 20-person Membership.
The Rochester Downtown Development Corporation manages the day-to-day program operations and donates the administrative office overhead as a show of support for the economic development benefits of the program.
Contact Us
DOWNTOWN INFORMATION CENTER
120 East Main St.
Rochester, New York 14604
(585) 232-3420
(585) 232-8365 [fax]
info@downtownspecialservices.org
(Monday–Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
DOWNTOWN SPECIAL SERVICES, INC. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
100 Chestnut St., Suite 1910
Rochester, New York 14604
(585) 263-6957
(585) 546-4784 [fax]
BVolpe@RDDC.org
Funding
Funding for the Downtown Special Services Program is provided through a special assessment district involving more than 350 downtown properties. Property owners located within the Inner Loop, High Falls, Kodak Office, and Frontier Field areas are assessed an annual service charge on their July property tax bills. Each annual budget is approved by the DSSI Board and Membership and authorized by the Rochester City Council.
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