EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio — Amid "grave concern" from city leaders in East Cleveland, the state of Ohio is offering law enforcement assistance to help supplement the "diminished capacity" of the city's police force.
Specifically, the Ohio State Highway Patrol says it will collaborate with the city of East Cleveland and the East Cleveland Police Department "in an effort to improve traffic safety throughout the city."
"The purpose of the collaboration is to bring awareness and education to the motoring public about the dangers of speed, driving impaired, distracted driving, and other leading crash-causing violations, along with the importance of safety belt usage, in an effort to reduce injuries and traffic fatalities," the OSHP said in a joint release with the city of East Cleveland and the East Cleveland Police Department.
The initiative started on July 19 and is slated to continue through Sept. 7.
According to the joint release, "since 2020, there have been 855 crashes in the City of East Cleveland. This includes 11 fatal crashes that killed 11 people. Another 367 people were injured in crashes during this time frame."
“Speeding, distracted and impaired driving continue to be the cause of critical injury and fatal crashes,” said Lieutenant Timmothy Hoffman, OSHP Cleveland Post Commander. “Through this collaboration, we can collectively focus on our shared mission of improving traffic safety and keeping our communities safe.”
The action by the OSHP comes after East Cleveland Mayor Brandon King wrote a letter to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on June 28 asking for "Ohio National Guard and State Defense assistance."
"The East Cleveland Police Department, which once consisted of over 40 peace officers, has been reduced by more than 50 percent," King wrote. "Consequently, the diminished capacity of our Peace Officers to deliver safe and timely service has become a matter of grave concern."
King told DeWine in his letter that "a comprehensive plan, including proposed wage increases to enhance manpower and retention, has been formulated and is currently under negotiation with the Union."
"Both management and labor are fully cognizant of the circumstances and anticipate the swift implementation of a new contract," King added. "However, finalizing the contract and rebuilding the police staff will inevitably require time."
You can read the full letter from King to DeWine below.
DeWine's office told 3News after it received King's letter, the governor directed Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson to reach out to the city of East Cleveland to offer law enforcement support from the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
The OSHP partnered with the city of East Cleveland "on a similar initiative" in March 2023.
Earlier this month, East Cleveland officials announced the resignation of police chief Brian Gerhard more than six months after he was accused of sharing racist, antisemitic, and homophobic memes and images. In recent years, more than a dozen current or former officers (including ex-chief Scott Gardner) have been arrested or convicted for a slew of possible crimes.
Gerhard has been suspended from his role since January, with Captain Kenneth Lundy serving as acting chief for the time being. The city of East Cleveland has not yet shared its plans for Gerhard's permanent replacement.