CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Division of Police will soon be receiving assistance in patrolling several areas of the city.
Monday night, Cleveland City Council passed ordinances allowing the Case Western Reserve University and University Circle police departments to expand their territorial jurisdictions within the city of Cleveland, moving outside the property of the university and east of University Circle.
"These are institutions. These are large employers that are doing this. This is not a taxpayer expense," Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin told 3News' Brandon Simmons last month.
The goal of the new legislation is to increase the public safety presence in the Uptown District of Cleveland.
According to council, Case Western Reserve University's enhanced police footprint will include Little Italy and a portion of the Cleveland Division of Police's Fifth District from East 105th Street to East 120th Street between Wade Park Avenue and Ashbury Avenue. University Circle's police jurisdiction will expand to East 123rd Street and Edge Hill Road.
Griffin says an extra 15,000 people come into University Circle and visit Little Italy every day, but the area has had its fair share of crime. For example, there were several incidents of carjackings earlier this year, something that political leaders fear could deter tourists from visiting the historic districts.
Editor's Note: 3News' Brandon Simmons and Lydia Esparra contributed to this report.
Previous Reporting: