Summary
- A resident said someone stole chickens that were part of a program teaching kids how to raise and care for them.
- Free smoke detectors and bed shaker alarms are available to residents.
- A member of the Cuyahoga County prosecutor’s office encouraged residents to get gas and stop at ATMs before dark because of recent violent crimes at those locations.
The community meeting for Cleveland’s Ward 6 on June 10 was called to order at 6 p.m. by Laveta Parker, executive assistant to Ward 6 representative and Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin, and was opened with prayer. Griffin was absent as he had been called away to Columbus for various meetings.
Cleveland Division of Police
On hand were representatives from the Third and Fourth Cleveland Police Districts. Each representative took questions from the community.
Fourth District: Community Engagement Officer Jalisse Jones
Jones welcomed the audience to attend the Shaker Square Safety Fair on June 14.
Community questions
Jones gave an update on a missing 6-year-old, saying they found him, and the incident occurred because a bus let him off at a stop with no accompanying adult.
Jones also gave an update on a shooting that took place in the Lee-Harvard Plaza the prior weekend. Jones reported that all victims survived, but no suspect was in custody.|
A resident asked about a shooting near Shaker Boulevard. Jones said she was vaguely aware of the incident and didn’t want to give any wrong information.
The same resident brought up a recent robbery that took place at the East End Neighborhood House. The daycare center has a youth program where children are raising chickens from eggs. Someone stole all of the chickens, the resident said. The resident asked if this had been reported and said the community is trying to see what can be done to replace the stolen chickens. Jones said she was unaware of the incident and would look into it.
Third District: Officers Roger Jones and Malcolm Sutton-Nicholson
Sutton-Nicholson invited residents to participate in one of the Senior Walks.
Community questions
Some residents complained of a home that appears to be operating an auto repair business out of a residence located at the corner of East 83rd Street and Quincy Avenue. Cars are lined up outside the home, without license plates, often on both sides of the street. The police are aware of the problem and ask that residents continue to report disturbances, Roger Jones and Sutton-Nicholson said.
A resident also complained about disruptions at Luke Easter Park. People are driving recklessly through the park and disturbing the peace with loud music, they said. Jones and Sutton-Nicholson acknowledged the complaints and informed everyone of increased police presence at parks and recreation centers.
A resident reported after-hours activity at a building on Lee Road across from the former Popeyes restaurant. There is concern that this type of activity is slipping under police radar. Jones noted that that location is in the Fourth District, but he gave assurances that if residents have reported activity multiple times, the city has a process for putting plainclothes police in the area to catch any violations.
Join the movement for transparency
Civic power can start with you! We train and pay Documenters to take notes at local government meetings and share them here. Learn more about becoming a Documenter.
Cleveland Division of Fire
Lt. Rudolph Buffington of the Cleveland Division of Fire greeted the audience and shared the following information:
- The American Red Cross provided the division with smoke detectors and bed-shake alarms available to residents for free (bed shake alarms are designed for deaf or disabled persons who might not respond to a typical smoke detector.)
- People interested in obtaining a free smoke detector should call 216-361-5535.
- Firefighter Yolanda McCray also informed the group that Cleveland Fire is hiring firefighters. Applicants must be aged 18-39 years old and apply by June 13.
- Fire safety presentations are offered regularly at senior living facilities, schools and other children’s programs, according to Buffington.
- Buffington: It’s the season for the “Smoke House” – a mobile unit designed to simulate smoke-filled rooms to teach children how to react in the event of a fire or smoke-filled space.
Announcements
DigitalC – Sean Freeman, DigitalC marketing representative, was on hand to answer questions and sign up interested residents for the service. DigitalC is an internet provider offering services to Cleveland residents. Residents with CMSD-enrolled children are eligible for additional discounts. In addition to internet services, DigitalC offers classes on how to use the internet via smartphones, laptops and tablets.
Café Indigo – A resident shouted out Melissa Garrett-Hirsch, the owner of a cafe that recently opened. She was in attendance. In addition to coffee, Café Indigo offers ice cream, sandwiches and other light fare. Garrett-Hirsch also owns Unbar Cafe and The UnWine Zone.
Coyoacan Taqueria – The same resident also said Coyoacan Taqueria & Brew is a new restaurant opening in Shaker Square that had its soft opening today.
FRDC – Jesse DismukEs, neighborhood services coordinator for the Fairfax Renaissance Development Corp., encouraged residents to take part in the bi-monthly coffee socials offered at Fairfax Market. Activities include: Cooking demonstrations, community conversations, resource information and more.
Case Western Reserve University – Kelvin Issac Torrence (spelling unconfirmed) shared information about the CWRU Comprehensive Cancer Center. The center focuses on cancer research as it relates to underserved populations.
Upcoming elections
Representatives for candidates running for elected office were invited to speak:
- Rev. Aaron Phillips spoke on behalf of Cheryl Wiltshire, Cleveland Housing Court candidate
- B.J. Horton spoke on behalf of his father, Brett Horton, Cleveland Municipal Court judge candidate.
- In Son J. Loving, Cleveland Municipal Court judge candidate, spoke on her own behalf and emphasised that she is not running against Brett Horton.
Diane Russell, Cuyahoga County First Assistant Prosecutor, shared information about the Prosecutor’s Office and answered resident questions.
A resident asked if was there any noticeable change in crime statistics related to the legalization of marijuana?
Russell said there was no noticeable uptick in crimes that can be blamed on marijuana usage. She encouraged residents to watch out for fraudulent dispensaries popping up throughout Cuyahoga County, where “you don’t know what you’re getting.”
Russell said there is a downturn in the countywide number of carjackings and homicides. Residents were also advised to get gas and use ATMs in the morning, as there is an increase in shootings at gas stations. Finally, residents were made aware of an ongoing problem known as “sextortion.” The prosecutor’s office has an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit, Russell said. ICAC focuses on the prevention of internet exploitation of children, and the state commander works from the Cleveland office.
The meeting was closed with prayer. Speakers remained to greet residents and answer additional questions.
These notes are by Documenter Kathryn Johnson.
If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at [email protected] with “Correction Request” in the subject line.