CLEVELAND — With continued concerns of crime in Cleveland, the city addressed police recruitment issues at a "Public Safety Summit" on Wednesday morning.
Part of the plan includes an increase in wages from $16 to $24 per hour for cadets. That's in addition to a $5,000 retention bonus paid out in parts through the end of the probationary period. Police say that the raise will elevate Cleveland above the City of Cincinnati and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
“We are in a war for talent right now across the country when it comes to law enforcement," Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb said at the safety summit. "I’ve given my word as mayor that I’m not going to spare any expense to invest in public safety and we’re looking forward to those continued conversations around additional investments related to wage increases and retention bonuses as part of our retention aspects as part of these ongoing conversations.”
In 2023, there have been at least 113 homicides in Cleveland. That number is up nearly 18% since this time last year.
Other violent crimes are on the rise as well, including grand theft of motor vehicles. 3News learned that there are at least 4,196 cases of the crime. That number is up nearly 89% from this time last year.
Also present at the meeting were Cleveland Police Chief Wayne Drummond, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 8 President Jim O'Malley and Cleveland Police Patrolmen's Association President Jeff Follmer.
“This is a great step to try and get officers into the city of Cleveland," Follmer said.
Mayor Bibb's office points to several partnerships in place working to prevent violence in Cleveland. This includes partnerships with the Cuyahoga Co. Sheriff's Office, the U.S. Marshals and the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Last week, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced a "surge initiative," which combines the resources of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to target "known criminal hot spots."
In a two-day operation last week, local, state, and federal agencies made 52 felony arrests, seized 16 illegally-possessed firearms, and recovered 12 stolen vehicles in Cleveland's 4th District.
Previous Reporting:
- Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announces 'surge initiative' to help combat crime in Cleveland
- Cleveland city councilman asking why only 11 cadets graduated from police academy class that had nearly 300 applicants
- Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, police union leaders to meet in August for 'Public Safety Summit'
- Crime on the rise: Numbers show increase in homicides, vehicle thefts in Cleveland in 2023