ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – Law enforcement leaders from across the state and here at home gathered in Fairport for a community luncheon to discuss the latest report on the Project Exile initiative. (WROC/Alec Richardson) It's been in place for over two decades. Rochester was the second city in the U.S. to implement the program. Gary Mervis, the founder of Camp Good Days, helped initiate the group to reduce the use of illegal weapons and gun violence in Rochester. "The key here is prevention," said Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter. "Project tips, we're out in the community, we're knocking on doors, we're letting people know we care, we're looking for their concerns and their ideas, and then we're trying to implement them in the enforcement side." ‘I’ve never seen the brazenness’: Sheriff Baxter reacts to Dubai Jewelry robbery Leaders said thousands of illegal weapons have been taken off the street thanks in part to this initiative over the last 25 years. Mayor Malik Evans reported that homicides are down 35% from 2023, and the number of people shot is down more than 34%.