CLEVELAND — The city of Cleveland and the Cleveland Division of Police launched the "Summer of Safety" on May 1, with the initiative running through September 1. New data shows the city saw a drop in total crime, and while specific crime categories reflect mixed results, there was clear progress.
The goal for "Summer of Safety" was simple crime reduction, and data from Cleveland’s Division of Police Crime Dashboard shows the number of total incidents in 2024 was down compared to 2023.
Across the summer of 2024, there were 29,105 total crimes. That number represents a reduction of more than 10% when compared to 32,498 in 2023.
3News Investigates also dug into specific crime categories to try and understand how crime was trending across the area.
During the summer of 2024, there were 43 homicides in Cleveland. That number is still far higher than the community or law enforcement would like. But it still represents a 36% decrease compared to 2023. In fact, it was the lowest amount of homicides that the city has reported since 2019.
But the data also reveals where crime appears to be getting worse.
Assaults, which include non-fatal shootings, were on the rise in Cleveland compared to years past. City data shows there were 6,175 assaults this summer, an increase compared to the 6,071 that were reported in 2023.
Reported rapes also increased from 153 to 141.
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb was unable to speak on camera with 3News about the "Summer of Safety" before the airing of this recap, but his office noted other areas of progress in specific crime categories. Felonious assault, robbery, and weapons violations all fell by double-digit percentage points.
"These results are a direct testament to the incredible work of our officers who — in collaboration with our law enforcement and community partners — give everything they have day in and day out to protect our residents," a spokesperson from Mayor Bibb's office said in a written statement.
A large part of combating crime includes community cooperation with law enforcement. Under Chief Annie Todd, the Cleveland Division of Police has made an effort to improve communication and visibility in communities that struggle with safety and crime.
Citizens are encouraged to contact law enforcement to report illegal activity or any potential concerns about safety. The non-emergency number to report information is 216-621-1234.