CLEVELAND — On Wednesday, Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson, Police Chief Calvin Williams, and Public Safety Director Karrie Howard outlined the city's ongoing efforts to combat violent crime in the city.
The briefing came following another violent holiday weekend in Cleveland, however, Jackson and Williams did report some good news.
As of the end of June, the Cleveland Division of Police has confiscated between 1,600 and 1,700 guns. There were 950 guns confiscated in all of 2020.
However, there have been 88 homicides in the city this year, compared to 63 at this time in 2020. Williams noted that the number of violent crimes involving guns is up 47%.
Jackson says easy access to guns are fueling the problem.
"It goes to what we have been saying for several years now. That is in order to address violent crime and the use of guns in violent crimes that have resulted in felonious assault and homicides and things like that, we have to address the availability of guns. That is the immediate thing that needs to happen," the mayor stated.
Noting the 14 shootings over the Fourth of July weekend, Williams said residents called in a number of tips and concerns that helped police to stop more shootings. He urged residents to continue to be the department's "eyes and ears" on the streets.
You can watch the full briefing in the player below:
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