The strategic plan follows an innovative whole-of-government approach by coordinating the deployment of city resources, expanding community partnerships, and encouraging active engagement of citizens.
Tuesday, May 21, 2024 — CLEVELAND — Mayor Justin M. Bibb, Interim Public Safety Director Wayne Drummond, and Police Chief Dorothy Todd today announced Cleveland’s 2024 Summer Safety Plan – a comprehensive All-Of-Government approach to reducing crime citywide. The plan was officially implemented on May 1st.
“We know, based on research, that approximately 4% of geography accounts for nearly half of all crime. We are taking a targeted, data-driven approach to narrow in on neighborhoods across the city that have historically been affected by violence during the summer months,” said Mayor Bibb. “Our comprehensive strategy goes beyond just law enforcement, as various departments will be prioritizing the delivery of city services in these hotspots — which will be combined with our violence prevention efforts — with the goal of creating a ripple effect in reducing crime citywide.”
The strategy behind the Summer Safety Plan analyzed multiple years of violent crime data, used to develop a solution-based operation to reduce stressors directly linked with criminal activity in the City of Cleveland. Following direction from the Department of Public Safety, the Summer Safety Plan is a collaborative effort by all municipal departments in the City of Cleveland, community-led organizations, and law enforcement agencies at the local, state, and national levels.
“Violence prevention is a top priority for the Department of Public Safety and Mayor Bibb’s Administration. By taking a city-wide, all-hands-on-deck approach, we remain hopeful that criminal activity will continue to trend downward, influencing a positive outcome in the City of Cleveland and beyond,” said Interim Safety Director Wayne Drummond. “While all of our law enforcement and municipal agencies work around the clock to execute this plan, it is important to understand that our public has a vital role when it comes to public safety. We encourage our citizens to take an active part in the safety of their communities by confidentially reporting criminal activity to our Division of Police and respective law enforcement agencies.”
Using data and technology to guide the deployment of city personnel and resources, this plan follows an innovative whole-of-government commitment to safety. Collaborative efforts with municipal agencies include:
- Department of Public Works: Street repairs, paving, sweeping, waste collection, graffiti removal, tree trimming, rec site improvements.
- Department of Public Utilities: Pole repairs, streetlight upgrades.
- Department of Building and Housing: Code Enforcement, citation upon violations.
- Office of Prevention, Intervention, and Opportunity, Department of Community Relations: Support from Neighborhood Safety Fund grantees, social support specialists, violence interruption services, and citizen outreach.
- Department of Aging: Senior walks, robocalls, senior-targeted engagement efforts.
This coordination of delivering city services, combined with prevention and outreach efforts that divert future offenders, will be implemented simultaneously with the City’s law enforcement strategy led by the Cleveland Division of Police.
"The Cleveland Division of Police has an unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety of our community. We are confident the implementation of a data-driven Summer Safety Plan, in collaboration with other city departments and community organizations, will positively impact crime reduction," said Deputy Chief Pillow. "We encourage our community to continue supporting the dedicated members of the Division of Police with the simple yet effective concept of 'See Something, Say Something.' We believe that together, we can continue to reduce crime rates and enjoy a safe summer in the city of Cleveland.”
Last month, additional safety investment efforts were announced for a second round of grants from the Cleveland Neighborhood Safety Fund. The fund was seeded by the Bibb Administration, who is working in partnership with the Cleveland Foundation, to help grow and sustain an ecosystem of community-driven, evidence-informed programming serving Cleveland residents. The overarching goal of the Neighborhood Safety Fund is to support programs and organizations that target the root causes of violence, particularly among young people, under the guidance of a nine-member advisory committee. Last year, 29 grassroots organizations and programs operating in 14 neighborhoods around Cleveland benefitted from the 2023 Neighborhood Safety Fund, receiving $1 million in awards. This year, up to $1 million in additional grantmaking will be allocated. Awardees are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
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 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 (216) 621-1234.
