Cleveland just hit a tragic mark. Again.
There have been 100 murders since the year began, marking the 7th year in a row this has happened.
The latest one was outside a liquor store Tuesday on the city’s east side, where a 47-year-old man was shot to death in a parking lot.
Victims this year have been young and old. Last month, a 94-year old grandmother in Slavic Village was beaten to death by a burglar.
In June, 9-year old Saniyah Nicholson was shot to death in the backseat of a car while waiting for her brother.
Jeff Follmer with the Cleveland Police Patrolman’s Association says there are simply not enough police officers.
“We’re not getting applications as much now,” he said, “Going all the way down to patrol, they’re short on shifts.”
He said that City Hall needs to step up.
“The administration is trying. Maybe they tried a little bit too late,” he said.
Cleveland Police say this time last year, there were 92 murders.
It was a year that landed Cleveland on the Major Cities Chiefs Association’s list of deadliest cities. Only St. Louis, Baltimore, New Orleans and Detroit were ahead when it came to murders per capita.
Most of Cleveland’s murders involved guns.
Last year ended with 130 murders, which was down from 133 the year before. Nationally, murder rates are down.