09/19/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/20/2024 12:00
Collaborative Efforts Between the City and Various Law Enforcement Agencies and Community Partners Contributed to Positive Crime Trends During the Summer Months
Thursday, September 19, 2024 - Cleveland - Mayor Justin M. Bibb and city leaders announced the results of the Administration's Summer Safety Plan - a comprehensive, All-Of-Government approach that utilized data-driven strategies to proactively address crime in the city the past 4 months. The City developed the Plan based on research, which shows that approximately 4% of geography accounts for nearly half of all crime. Multiple years of data was analyzed to identify five citywide "hotspots" for violent crime that were consistent across the previous three summers. Various City departments - working together with numerous law enforcement and community partners - prioritized the delivery of services and resources in and around these targeted areas with the goal of creating a ripple effect in reducing crime citywide.
"Although our plan has produced positive trends in terms of data and statistics, now is not a time to celebrate as one life lost is one too many," said Mayor Bibb. "My administration will continue doing everything in our power - including grassroots efforts to engage and hear directly from our residents - to change the narrative and perception around crime in the city."
THE RESULTS
The Plan was strategically implemented during the summer months (i.e. May 1 to August 31), when crime historically peaks during the year. When compared to last year, this year's reporting period saw significant drops in the majority of crimes, including:
THE PLAN - City Services
Utilizing data and technology to guide decision-making, the Plan utilized an innovative All-Of-Government commitment to safety, which included:
THE PLAN - Law Enforcement
The Cleveland Division of Police (CDP) worked together with local, county, regional, state, and federal law enforcement to implement "Operation Heat Wave" throughout the summer, which led to:
"The Division of Police is committed to the safety of our community. We are encouraged by the results from the Summer Safety Plan and Operation Heat Wave; as crime trends shift we will make the necessary adjustments to keep the residents and visitors of Cleveland safe," said Deputy Chief of Police Jarod Schlacht. "The all-of-government approach is an innovative initiative by the Mayor's Office and showed immediate results. We will continue partnering with all City departments along with our local and federal law enforcement partners for sustainable decreases in violent crime."
THE PLAN - Youth Engagement
Community Relations and the Office of Prevention, Intervention, & Opportunity partnered with Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.), Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD), Cleveland Public Library (CPL), the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Cleveland Foundation, and others to provide access to high-quality programming to keep youth engaged throughout the summer.
"This summer, the partnership between CMSD, the City of Cleveland, and our dedicated community partners has shown what is possible when we unite for the future of our children. Through these transformative learning experiences, we ignited a spark in our scholars that goes far beyond the classroom-empowering them to dream bigger, achieve more, and realize their full potential. Together, we are building a foundation that not only strengthens academic achievement but uplifts the entire Cleveland community," said Dr. Warren Morgan, CEO of CMSD. "Our commitment is unwavering, and this collaboration proves that when we come together, we can move mountains."
Programming included:
"The Y.O.U. partnership with the City of Cleveland is the kind of public/private collaboration that offers real impact to the youth of Cleveland and offers hope to the entire community as we collectively look to take Cleveland to the next level via investing in our future," stated Craig Dorn, Y.O.U.'s President and CEO. "Y.O.U. is very appreciative of the leadership Mayor Bibb has shown in this area and we look forward to continuing our work together."
"The City of Cleveland's Summer Soundtrack program demonstrates the power of collaboration and partnership in building a community of readers," said Felton Thomas Jr., Executive Director and CEO of Cleveland Public Library. "This summer, through our Cleveland READS program, over 4,000 scholars participated in literacy programs across our Library system, earning over 20,000 badges as they reached key reading milestones. Together, we can continue to inspire a love for learning and foster brighter futures for all Cleveland families."
Additional efforts included:
"At the heart of our summer learning program was a collective vision to not just prevent learning loss, but to accelerate academic growth and inspire a lifelong love of learning. Thanks to the invaluable partnership with the City of Cleveland and our community allies, our scholars experienced an enriching summer that will echo throughout their academic journeys and beyond," added Dr. Selena Florence, Chief Academic Officer of CMSD. "We are not just preparing scholars for the next school year-we are cultivating leaders, innovators, and changemakers who will shape the future of our city."
The Summer Safety Plan is part of Mayor Bibb's RISE Initiative - the most comprehensive violence reduction and law enforcement enhancement plan in the history of the City of Cleveland. RISE is a portfolio of multiple key investments, partnerships and enforcement strategies, technological advancements, and other Administration-led efforts to combat high levels of crime and to improve recruitment and retention within the Division of Police.
Other RISE efforts led by the Bibb Administration include expanding the City's SAFE SMART CLE camera sharing program; expanding ShotSpotter technology to all five neighborhood police districts; and expanded partnerships with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the U.S. Marshals Service, and other agencies at all levels for additional resources and personnel towards targeted hotspots and coordinated violence reduction tactics. The Administration continues to urge residents, businesses, and community partners to help keep Cleveland safe by signing up for the Safe Smart CLE Program.
Citizens are encouraged to contact law enforcement to report illegal or suspicious activity - if you see something, say something. If you have information that may assist investigators in apprehending wanted individuals or wish to report criminal activity, please call 9-1-1 in an emergency or CDP's non-emergency line at (216) 621-1234.
Watch yesterday's press conference here.