ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Safety concerns led to the shutdown of North Clinton Avenue on the final day of the Puerto Rican Festival. Police closed the area between Upper Falls and Clifford Avenue, a location with a history of violence.
Businesses were ordered to close by 4 p.m., and News10NBC found that most complied. One business remained open, but the owner declined to comment on camera. Many people expressed fear of being charged.
One owner said officers showed up at his business on Sunday morning to remind him of the consequences of staying open.
“In this day and age, we really rely on the weekends mainly, that’s where we make all of our, most of our living, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, so we take a big hit,” a store owner said.
Officials said they met with residents and businesses over the past weeks to address concerns.
“I’m going to walk here through 11 o’clock tonight, and there are some city council people walking with me. And we’re going to go back to the mayor, and we’re going to fight the mayor about this,” another individual said.
No fines or arrests were reported by the Rochester Police Department regarding the closure.
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