CLEVELAND — With crime numbers on the rise in Cleveland, an effort is being made to bring communities together with police officers and officials in an effort for citizens and officers to better understand each other.
Cleveland's new Chief of Police Wayne Drummond was on hand and spoke of the divide that exists between police and the people, "It's important for people understand that we are father's and mother's, we are brothers, we are sisters, we are grandfathers. We hurt, we cry and this makes us more human or humanizes us."
And so far, it's working. But Margaret Bush, a Cleveland citizen, came with her daughter and four grandson's because for her the crime rate worries her when she thinks of those younger family members. "Bullets don't have eyes. I worry about them and I just want to see them grow up." said Bush.
Bush's daughter says the crime in the city of Cleveland is not safe for her children.
The city of Cleveland reached a milestone. There have been 101 homicides since the first of the year. And to add to the raised pressure of bringing the crime rate down, the Cleveland Police Department is short nearly 300 officers.
"It's 101 homicides so yes any death in the city of Cleveland it bothers me. Sometimes I take it personal, I know I shouldn't. We are trying to do everything we can to lower gun crime or violence in general." said Drummond.
By all accounts the event was a great success and something that should happen more often to bring citizens and officers closer together. But will it be enough? Only time will tell if the effort is making any strides.
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