Partnership for a Safer Cleveland

🌟 Transformative Change in Action: Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court’s Impact on Youth 🌟 The Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court is setting a powerful example of what’s possible when we invest in youth potential. Through innovative programs like Interest 2 Income (i2i), led by the Spread the Love Foundation and founded by rapper Krayzie Bone, young people are exploring the music industry hands-on — gaining skills in financial literacy, production, and management. Beyond creative expression, they’re learning essential life skills like responsibility and ambition, empowering them with tools to build sustainable futures. Equally inspiring, the court's partnership with Cuyahoga Community College recently led to a 20-year-old youth earning an Associate of Arts degree from within the detention facility. His discovery of a passion for psychology is a testament to the life-changing power of education and mentorship, showcasing the court’s commitment to second chances and meaningful growth. At the Partnership, we believe true transformation begins with opportunity. These success stories from the Juvenile Court affirm that empowering youth through education and creativity has a lasting impact — on their futures and on the strength of our community. Let’s keep supporting initiatives that inspire growth, resilience, and a pathway forward. 💼💡✨ #SaferCleveland #YouthEmpowerment #TransformativeJustice #SecondChances #ThisIsCle

🌟 Empowering Our Officers for Safer Communities 🌟 This week, University Circle Police participated in a critical de-escalation seminar aimed at equipping officers with essential skills for managing challenging encounters safely and effectively. 💪🏽 The seminar, led by Tony Wegner from the National De-Escalation Training Center, emphasized the importance of non-verbal communication and understanding diverse personalities. Officers engaged in practical exercises to prepare for real-life scenarios, particularly when interacting with individuals facing mental health challenges. 🧠🤝🏽 Patrol Officer Gloria Mercado highlighted the seminar's significance: “Especially with mental health issues, volatile people who can get aggressive when they talk to you. You’re trying to bring them down.” As Captain Gary Stone from Lakewood Police noted, mastering the fundamentals of interpersonal engagement enhances the likelihood of positive outcomes in various situations, including traffic altercations. 🚦 This training is about developing officers' skills and fostering a foundation of respect and dignity within our communities. By learning effective communication strategies, officers can build trust and strengthen relationships with the public. 🌍✨ Together, we are committed to creating safer environments for all! #SaferCleveland #CommunityEngagement #DeEscalation #PublicSafety #MentalHealthAwareness #RespectAndDignity

🔊 New Research Sheds Light on Youth and Gun Access in High-Crime Areas A powerful new study reveals the daily reality faced by young Black men in high-crime neighborhoods, many of whom feel they need guns for self-protection. One participant, Xavier Taylor, bought his first gun at 13. He shares, "When I was younger, my dad always told me to keep a gun on me. It always stuck with me." Now 17, Xavier works as a youth advocate for The Forgotten Third, a nonprofit in Houston that supports young people navigating violence in their communities. This study, led by Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), interviewed over 350 young Black men aged 15-24 from cities like Wilmington, DE, Jackson, MS, Baltimore, and Houston. Findings reveal that nearly 70% of these young men describe their neighborhoods with terms like “violent” or “dangerous.” The study also highlights the influence of family, friends, and social media on firearm access, with many youth reporting they first held guns before age 15. Research co-author Howard Henderson of Texas Southern University emphasizes the need for community dialogue: “Unless you actually have conversations with individuals who are intimately associated with the problem, you may not understand the nuances involved.” Other experts note that fear and perceived self-protection drive youth to seek guns, despite evidence showing that gun ownership often increases the risk of harm. Community advocates see these findings as both an urgent call and a unique opportunity to address gun violence by addressing its root causes. As Kathryn Bocanegra from the University of Illinois Chicago’s Jane Addams College of Social Work puts it, meaningful solutions require seeing community members as experts, and focusing resources on those facing the impacts daily. 🤝🏾 At the Partnership, we stand alongside researchers, advocates, and community leaders to help create environments that don’t simply survive but thrive. Understanding the challenges faced by youth like Xavier is critical to shaping policies and programs that foster safety, hope, and opportunity. 🔍 Explore the study's insights and join us in advocating for community-led solutions to make Cleveland safer. #SaferCleveland #CommunityEmpowerment #EndGunViolence #YouthSafety

📊 The 2024 State of Poverty in Ohio Report: Key Insights 🏘️ Ohio families continue to face significant financial challenges, as highlighted in the latest 2024 State of Poverty in Ohio Report from the Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies. Here's a snapshot of the findings: 🔹 Ohio's poverty rate remains at 13.4%, higher than the national average of 12.6%. 🔹 Child poverty in Ohio is even more alarming at 17.7%, underscoring the increased burden on our youngest residents. 🔹 23% of Ohio children live in cost-burdened households, spending over 30% of income on housing, and this rises to 53% for low-income families. The report draws attention to high housing costs, food insecurity, and gaps in healthcare access—challenges that disproportionately affect children and create long-term developmental and emotional hurdles. These barriers make it increasingly difficult to break the cycle of poverty. Food insecurity affects 14.8% of children in Ohio, and demand for food banks is at an all-time high. Access to affordable housing and healthcare continues to be critical in addressing these disparities. It's clear that we need to invest in sustainable solutions to support Ohio's most vulnerable populations, especially children. Together, we can drive change and ensure a brighter, more equitable future for all Ohioans. #StateOfPoverty #OhioPovertyReport #ChildPoverty #AffordableHousing #FoodInsecurity #CommunityAction #BreakTheCycle #LinkedInCommunity #SaferCleveland

🌟 Honoring Our History, Building Our Future 🌟 Did you know Cleveland's path toward a safer community began with a bold step in 1981? Louis Paisley, then president of the Bar Association of Greater Cleveland, formed the Task Force on Violent Crime to take action against crime – not just talk about it. 💼✨ Under Judge Burt W. Griffin’s leadership, 120 community members tackled key issues like alcohol, drugs, juvenile violence, and handgun reduction. Their 150-page report in 1982 sparked a 5-year initiative to reduce violent crime and foster community safety. Today, the Partnership for a Safer Cleveland continues that important work. We're a small but mighty 4-person team, committed to connecting community members, law enforcement, and policymakers to create a safer Cleveland for all. 💪🏾 But we can’t do it alone. Your support will help us sustain and expand our programs. Every donation is doubled, meaning your contribution has twice the impact in helping us reach more young people and promote community well-being. Let’s honor our past by working together to build a safer, brighter future for Cleveland! 🔒💙 #SaferCleveland #CommunityCollaboration #BuildingForTheFuture #HonoringOurLegacy #DoubleYourImpact #NonprofitLeadership #SafetyMatters

📊 FBI Revises 2022 Crime Data, Revealing an Increase in Violent Crime 🔍 According to a recent RealClearInvestigations (RCI) report, the FBI quietly revised its 2022 crime data, showing a 4.5% increase in violent crime, contradicting its initial report of a slight decline. 🔹 The original FBI Uniform Crime Report (UCR) indicated a 2.1% decrease in violent crime from 2021 to 2022, but updated data now reflects the significant rise. 🔹 The revision followed the release of the 2023 UCR data, which reported a 3% decrease in violent crime nationwide. 🔹 Experts like Carl Moody, a professor specializing in crime at the College of William & Mary, expressed concerns over the lack of transparency regarding such significant changes, questioning the trustworthiness of the FBI’s data reporting process. The revisions were not widely announced by the FBI and can only be discovered through detailed data comparisons. Despite the changes, the FBI reaffirmed confidence in their crime data methodology. The Bureau stated that it used both SRS (Summary Reporting System) and NIBRS (National Incident-Based Reporting System) to collect data, acknowledging that data limitations in 2021 led to statistical estimations for some of the figures used in the 2022 report. The lack of public correction has left many concerned about how crime trends are communicated, particularly as media coverage throughout 2022 suggested a decrease in crime. This highlights the need for greater transparency and accuracy in crime data reporting, which has a significant impact on public perception and policy-making. #CrimeData #FBI #ViolentCrime #PublicSafety #DataAccuracy #LawEnforcement #LinkedInCommunity #SaferCleveland

🚗💥 Street Takeovers in Cleveland: A Thrilling Scene or a Growing Safety Concern? 💥🚗 In the past year, Cleveland has seen over a dozen street takeovers, where tricked-out cars block off intersections to perform high-speed stunts like donuts, fishtailing, and burnouts. While these events may be thrilling for some spectators, there are serious safety concerns. Recent reports show that firearms have been present at some takeovers, and some gatherings have involved fires being set in the streets. As cities across the country, including Cleveland, consider legislation to address this issue, it’s critical that we find ways to balance community safety and support Cleveland’s strong car culture. At the Partnership for a Safer Cleveland, we believe there are safer and legal alternatives to enjoy car culture, such as attending car meets or car shows that are organized, sanctioned, and focused on responsible participation. 🚘✨ As the city considers new laws that would increase penalties for stunt driving and street takeovers, let's come together to support community-driven solutions that respect local laws and keep our streets safe for everyone. #SaferCleveland #CarCulture #StreetTakeovers #CommunitySafety #ResponsibleDriving #DriveSafe

📱 Cellphones in Classrooms: A Growing Concern for Parents and Educators 📱 A recent Pew Research Center survey found that 68% of U.S. adults support banning cellphone use in middle and high school classrooms. With Cleveland Metropolitan School District already implementing a cellphone ban in schools, this issue is gaining attention as educators highlight phones' impact on student focus, social development, and overall classroom environment. 🏫📵 Many parents, however, are concerned about staying connected with their children during emergencies and see potential educational benefits from phones. This growing debate highlights the need for stronger communication between schools and parents to create environments that balance safety, focus, and open communication. As we think about the future of classroom technology, it’s clear that finding common ground is essential for fostering a healthy learning environment. What’s your take—should schools adopt a full-day phone ban, or is there a better middle ground? 🤔 #SaferCleveland #Education #ClevelandSchools #CommunityEngagement #YouthSafety #ClassroomTechnology

🗳️ Cleveland, Your Vote Matters More Than You Think! 🌍 Cleveland boasts an impressive voter registration rate with over 90% of eligible residents registered to vote – a testament to the tireless work of community advocates. But there’s still work to be done. In the last election, only 29.4% of those registered actually cast a ballot. That’s nearly 73,000 votes, but we know we can do better. For perspective, according to the Pew Research Center, about two-thirds (66%) of our nation's voting-eligible population turned out for the 2020 presidential election – the highest rate for any national election since 1900. The 2018 election (49% turnout) had the highest rate for a midterm since 1914. Even the 2022 election’s turnout, with a slightly lower rate of 46%, exceeded that of all midterm elections since 1970. Many Clevelanders face significant barriers to voting, from disillusionment to structural challenges. The scars of redlining and disinvestment still impact certain neighborhoods, particularly on the east side. Yet, casting your vote is one way to shape a future that heals those wounds. As we approach another pivotal election, let’s come together as a community. Whether you vote early, ride the RTA for free on Election Day 🚎, or head to your polling place, remember that your voice influences the policies that affect us all, from local decisions to state and federal policies. Now is the time to claim our collective power. Early voting is already open. Let’s show up for Cleveland and build a brighter, more equitable future. 🗳️✨ #SaferCleveland #YourVoteMatters #VoterEmpowerment #CommunitySolutions #CivicEngagement

🚨 Positive Progress: Teen Drug and Alcohol Use is Declining, with Signs of Improvement in Overdose Deaths 🚨 For the first time in years, we’ve seen a slight decrease in teen overdose deaths—down from 721 in 2022 to 708 in 2023. While the numbers are still high, this shift signals the potential for long-term change. 💡 The spike in adolescent drug overdoses, especially with fentanyl, during the pandemic was a wake-up call for all of us. It underscored the need for more robust public health measures, increased awareness, and access to life-saving resources. Programs such as making naloxone available over the counter, expanding substance use education and treatment access in schools, and launching the Kids Online Health and Safety Task Force have been essential in addressing these issues. These interventions reflect the importance of a proactive approach to youth health and safety, especially as we see a rise in fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills obtained through social media. With continued efforts in education, prevention, and treatment, we can further this positive momentum. As the 2024 election approaches, it’s crucial to recognize that future policy decisions will play a pivotal role in determining how we protect and support our youth. Whether it’s continued investment in mental health resources or innovative approaches to substance use prevention, the choices we make today will shape the health and safety of future generations. By remaining engaged and committed to these efforts, we can help build a safer, healthier future for adolescents across the country. 🌟 #SaferCleveland #YouthDrugPrevention #PublicHealth #FentanylAwareness #MentalHealthMatters #SubstanceUsePrevention #PolicyAndHealth