Cleveland officials reveal the security plan for the summer to further reduce violent crime

Cleveland, Ohio – the mayor of Cleveland, Justin Bibb and chief of police Dorothy Todd, announced plans on Tuesday to build on last year's security plan to reduce this summer.

During a meeting with reporters in the town hall, BIBB explained that the city will increase its strategies that focus on crime hotspots, youth, partnerships with law enforcement agencies and technology improvements.

“There is a small part of our city that is responsible for a large part of the violent crimes,” said Bibb. “And so we identified these hotspots, and we will make neighborhood walks and target prosecution in these hotspots.”

City officials will use iPads during the neighborhood walks to log and remedy complaints on the residents in real time. BIBB also presented a 311 portal in which the residents of Cleveland were able to immediately submit concerns.

The plan includes improvements in the infrastructure such as the installation of speed tables, the removal of illegal dumping locations and the implementation of inspections for building regulations in areas with high crime.

The commitment of young people remains a priority, a cooperation with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, which combines young people and families with free and inexpensive summer opportunities, including the placement of jobs for young people and summer camp options.

Todd emphasized the importance of partnerships with other law enforcement authorities. The movements have contributed to a reduction in the murders by almost 40%.

In the past two years, city police officers have worked with the deputies and Federal Marshals of the Cuyahoga County sheriff to stop violent crimes. The deputies of the sheriff will continue to patrol in the city center, said Todd.

“We find that these partnerships are productive and feel on the streets,” said Todd. “And we demand that the community is our partner. We need the information you see. We need you to call ourselves and tell you what happens in your neighborhoods.”

The efforts to strengthen the city safety network of the city increased after a mass shooting in July 2023 in the Warehouse District, in which nine people were injured.

This summer, the city was exposed to an increase in daily gun violence, which led to an increase in murders and crime attacks.

To fight this, the city turned for help.

Quarterly arrest warrants with the FBI, the US drug authority and the Ohio State Highway Patrol have led to arrests from violent cravings and drug dealers as well as to restore stolen vehicles, firearms and money.

The city has also reinforced its use of technology. According to the authorities, the Crime Gun Intelligence Center played a key role to prevent hundreds of illegal weapons from entering Cleveland. With the tools of the center, analysts can track the origins of firearms.

“If you have a shooter that is still out there, retaliation and other shootings will take place,” said Todd.

The police employ 1,238 officials with a budget for 1,350. Cleveland added 134 recruits last year – most of them since 2019 – and currently has over 90 recruits in the academy. Officer abrasion has declined by 42% since 2022, with some former officials returned to the department, officials said.

“We have a great boss and the advantages are much better,” said Bibb.