CLEVELAND — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine came to Cleveland Wednesday to give details about state resources being deployed in Cleveland in order to combat violent crime in the city in partnership with Cleveland Police.
Multiple agencies like the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Ohio Investigative Unit and three others will be partnering with Cleveland Police and other local authorities to work on a sustained violence reduction initiative, according to a news release from DeWine's office.
The release said on unannounced dates; the agencies will provide a concentrated influx of crime reduction resources to areas of high crime in Cleveland.
These resources will include traffic enforcement and additional visits to adults and youth who have recently been released from incarceration, the release said.
There will also be work to target liquor establishments that are known for illegal sales, drug trafficking and prostitution.
“Our state teams have been in Cleveland, and we plan to stay in Cleveland as long as local officials need us," DeWine said in a statement. "We know that most violent crime is committed by repeat offenders who are not legally allowed to possess a firearm, yet they do it anyway. This violence reduction initiative will target those individuals."
According to the release, Tuesday was the first day of the initiative, and OSHP made 57 traffic stops and 20 felony arrests, in addition to locating stolen vehicles and confiscating illegally possessed firearms. Teams also worked to seize numerous drugs and referred individuals to recovery support.
“All too often innocent victims are hurt, young children who have recently been killed here in Cleveland, and frankly, it breaks your heart,” DeWine said. “Every parent has the right to raise their children and live in a neighborhood that is free of crime and free of violence."
Pete Elliot, U.S. Marshal, Northern District, said the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is also involved in the initiative and made four arrests this week; two of the suspects were wanted in connection with separate homicide investigations.
“Focusing our efforts collectively to reduce violent crime and for this operation, we will be tripling our resources," Elliot said. “We are additionally expanding by deputizing more Cleveland police officers and more deputy sheriffs to assist our Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force.”
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb released the following statement:
“The support announced by the State today is a key component of our RISE Initiative we launched last month and joins our other recent partnerships with the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department and the U.S. Marshals Service to help combat crime in our city. We are stronger when we are united – thank you to Governor DeWine, these state agencies, as well as our local and federal partners who join us in doing everything we can to keep Clevelanders safe.”
Watch the complete news conference announcing the state effort below:
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