Does anyone know what the total homicide # for the city is ths year?  It seems tobe on a pace to surpass last year...and that is quite a bit.....sad!

Friday, August 25, 2006 

 

Cleveland Heights man killed

 

 

11:20 a.m.

 

A 27-year-old Cleveland Heights man was killed early Friday in Cleveland.

 

Johnny Green was found at 2:28 a.m. with apparent gunshot wounds at East 126th Street and Forest Avenue, officials said.

 

Green died 30 minutes later at MetroHealth Medical Center.

 

By Damian G. Guevara, [email protected]

 

 

Hundreds gather on West Side to mourn 5 victims of violence

John P. Coyne

(Cleveland) Plain Dealer

Friday, August 25, 2006

 

They came to remember and to pay homage to five people whose lives were cut short by acts of violence.

 

Bullets ended the five lives on Cleveland's West Side this month. Four died along a short span of Detroit Avenue. The other died a few miles away ...

 

 

Does anyone know what the total homicide # for the city is ths year?  It seems tobe on a pace to surpass last year...and that is quite a bit.....sad!

 

There was a homicide on 8-24-06 around E. 79th which according to the PD, marks the 79th homicide of the year! I believe this tops all of 2005 and it's only August!!!!!! And don't forget last year got 8-10 more added on to the count from an arson fire that killed the children on E. 105th. I also want to point out that Akron is also going to have one hell of a count on the homicides when the year is up. I see more homicides in the news in Akron than I do in Cleveland. Let's hope the winter makes everyone stay indoors and stop killing each other!

From the 8/24/06 West Side Sun News:

 

 

Pastor rallying neighbors to fight against crime

Thursday, August 24, 2006

By David Plata

West Side Sun News

 

Shootings, drug dealing, an attempted rape and rampant prostitution.

 

Those are recent problems that neighbors in a small patch of the West Side _ from West 110th to West 114th streets and between Clifton and Franklin boulevards _ have had to endure, according to the Rev. C.E. Patterson, pastor at Our Father's House.

 

...

 

http://www.cleveland.com/sun/westsidesunnews/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1156437809194280.xml&coll=3

 

actually there were 110 homicides in cleveland last yr......and im pretty sure there have been more than 79 this yr so far

First time poster, but I see cleveland.com has a site that tracks Cleveland's crime statistics to date.

 

Looks like the city is on pace to topple last year's murder numbers. As of August 18, Cleveland had 73 murders, compared to 61 at the same time last year. The city finished with an Ohio high 115 murders in 2005.

 

The site tracks all the violent crimes, and guess what, they are all up from last year except for assault.

 

Homicide and robberies are way up this year, in just about every district.

 

The most drastic changes seem to be in the first and third districts.

 

Here's the link

 

http://www.cleveland.com/pdgraphics/interactive/crime/

 

Last year, Cleveland was the 12th most dangerous city in the U.S., looks like the city may crack the top 10 this year.

 

Does any other city have a site like this that tracks crime stats?

actually there were 110 homicides in cleveland last yr......and im pretty sure there have been more than 79 this yr so far

 

sorry, i got the cincy or columbus count mixed up with Cle's count.. but as of sunday 8-27, it's now 82, but you are probably right: a lot of stuff goes un-documented!

I think the FBI tracks stats. And yes, I am sure every city does too! WHere the info is located is the question

Police investigating West Side shooting

7:30 a.m.

 

Cleveland - Police are investigating the shooting death of a man on West 25th Street. The shooting happened about midnight, police said.

where on West 25th?

where on West 25th?

as I sit here in my office on w.25th I wonder the same thing..

This article was accompanied by a decent series of graphics (http://www.cleveland.com/crime/wide/index.ssf?/crime/wide/detroitshoreway0827.html) outlining neighborhood demographics and mapping the recent murders. Among the stats pointed out - Detroit Shoreway has experienced a 26% drop in violent crime over the last 10 years.

 

Detroit-Shoreway pauses in its climb

Slayings don't reflect area, residents say

Mark Rollenhagen

(Cleveland) Plain Dealer

Sunday, August 27, 2006

 

Artists Masumi Hayashi and John Jackson were pioneers of a sort, moving into a renovated bank building in the early 1990s on a street better known for its prostitutes and curbside drug deals than for fine-art photography and sculpture.

 

Now their slayings -- and three others within a week -- are rocking one of Cleve land's most promising neighborhoods, rallying friends and fellow artists but also sending waves of unease through a community establishing itself as a diverse, trendy arts area ...

where on West 25th?

as I sit here in my office on w.25th I wonder the same thing..

1200 block of w.25...here I was wondering if it was near my office and it is a few blocks from home.  1200 block is north of detroit (NoDe)

Coroner identifies gunshot victim

 

2:05 p.m.

 

Cuyahoga County Coroner Elizabeth Balraj identified the man fatally shot early Monday in the 1200 block of West 25th Street as Charles Cromwell, 36. He was found dead about 3 a.m. from a gunshot to his head, she said.

 

Cleveland police homicide detectives are investigating.

 

By Gabriel Baird, [email protected]

 

I am really happy the big picture looks good for the neighborhood. Is it just me (or the pandering media getting into my head) or have there been a lot of shootings on the near west side lately? I remember that last year the media reported murders were up city wide, but in my opinion a couple of arsons that killed a houseful of people skewed the numbers.  Where is the best (easiest) place to get year to date stats on line?

the PDs interactive crime map breaks down violent crime by district.  it is usually a couple of weeks behind, but it shows a good comparison of y-t-d comparisons of crime in cleveland.  no aggregate numbers - you have to add up the districts manually.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/pdgraphics/interactive/crime/

 

according to this site, there were 70 murders in cleveland through 8/5/06.  this compares with 61 murders ytd in 2005.  the 70 doesn't include the recent rash.

cool- I didnt know you could click on the districts to get the ytd numbers.  interesting

Tuesday, August 29, 2006 

 

Man killed in drive-by

 

 

11:35 a.m.

 

A drive-by shooter gunned down a 21-year-old Cleveland man about 3 a.m. this morning.

 

Someone in a white mini-van shot Matthew Manning in the head. Manning died before police arrived. He was shot while on the porch of a home on East 71st Street.

 

Police did not release a description of the shooter. Anyone with information on the killing is asked to call homicide detectives at 216-623-5464.

 

By Gabriel Baird, [email protected]

 

 

 

god bless the dorks at cwru:

 

http://exogen.case.edu/crime/recent/

From the 8/29/06 PD:

 

 

Number of youths charged with violent crime up in '05

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Rachel Dissell

Plain Dealer Reporter

 

A spike in the number of Cuyahoga County juveniles charged with violent crimes has leaders fearing a return of the gang-driven teen crime wave of the 1990s.

 

The number of homicide, robbery, assault and sexual assault charges filed against juveniles all increased last year from 2004, according to an annual report issued by Juvenile Court.

 

...

 

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

[email protected], 216-999-4121

 

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1156840596113880.xml&coll=2

 

huzzah for case dorks, if only there was one for more than campus

From the 8/29/06 PD:

 

Experts say some of the increase could be attributed to better awareness among teens about date rape, including the fact that any kind of sex with someone who is drunk is illegal.

 

its illegal to have sex when you are drunk?

Lets see, violent crime is up and now people are taking notice. Well, this comes after YEARS of mayors calling officers racist, a mayor laying off 250 cops, councilmen calling officers murderers, self proclaimed community activists chanting "no justice, no peace", citizens faulting officers before the facts were determined, Media crying "driving while black", officers being handcuffed by policies to appease the complainers in the community, politicians using threats to reprimand officers for political gain, and so on....... So I say quit complaining about the uprise in violent crime. Have a party because no officer "murdered" a citizen who "was just about to turn his life around." Or celebrate because no officer "chased" a felon into a pole. Or be happy that that guy who ran the traffic light next to your kid did not get a ticket because he was driving a nice car. Stop looking at the bad side. You asked for it, you're getting it.

"You asked for it, you're getting it."

 

Easy there, skippy - you do realize that in some cases, you're preaching to the choir?

I didn't ask for it. I'm in favor of an aggressive police force like in NYC. Those guys don't play around.

 

Does anyone know who the cop/security guard is around W. 110-116th and Edgewater? I see the dude on the corner for hours at a time. Not sure what he's doing....

He's employed by the Edgewater homeowners' association. I've met him while I was out taking photos - he's a pretty nice guy.

Lets see, violent crime is up and now people are taking notice. Well, this comes after YEARS of mayors calling officers racist, a mayor laying off 250 cops, councilmen calling officers murderers, self proclaimed community activists chanting "no justice, no peace", citizens faulting officers before the facts were determined, Media crying "driving while black", officers being handcuffed by policies to appease the complainers in the community, politicians using threats to reprimand officers for political gain, and so on....... So I say quit complaining about the uprise in violent crime. Have a party because no officer "murdered" a citizen who "was just about to turn his life around." Or celebrate because no officer "chased" a felon into a pole. Or be happy that that guy who ran the traffic light next to your kid did not get a ticket because he was driving a nice car. Stop looking at the bad side. You asked for it, you're getting it.

 

Seems to me that violent crime also dropped while all those same things were happening, too.  Also, all of the officers have been recalled now, yet crime is still on the rise.

Also, all of the officers have been recalled now, yet crime is still on the rise.

 

but, the total number of officers is still 250 less.  the recalls were replacing officers who left, not increasing the total number of officers.

I think those are some separate issues. Reduction in police officers, bad. Training police to make wise decisions during routine searches and investigations, good. While I want the police to aggressively pursue criminal elements in our community, I also want them to have their wits about them. I don't think that creating an environment where residents don't trust officers is one that encourages citizen watches, reporting crimes, etc. And meanwhile, crime rates have climbed significantly since the late 90s nationwide. I would hardly say that we can pin this on our community's very valid concerns about procedure, due process or outright discrimination.

The Plain Dealer

Cleveland police officer dead after shooting

 

A Cleveland police officer was shot to death about midnight on the West Side.

 

Officers were serving an arrest warrant at a single family-home on West 98th Street — near Detroit Avenue — when the confrontation turned into a shooting, police spokeswoman Nancy Dominik said.

 

...

 

www.cleveland.com

Whoa, I was on Madison/98th last night near the time of the incident and remembered seeing cop cars all over the place, wondering what happened. I knew it wouldn't be good.  :x

 

Mayday or Jamiec, this man who stands outside on the corner - what does he look like? Is he an older white guy with a ponytail? There was something going down at Detroit and W. 117/116 last night that involved 3 Lakewood cop cars (on the Cleveland side) along with this un-uniformed man, they were there for quite a while lamenting over something that had happened, right by Pizza Hut.

The guy I'm referring to doesn't come any further south than Lake Avenue (he patrols Lake, Edgewater, Harborview, Cliff, etc.), and he doesn't have a ponytail.

I am wondering how this A-HOLE was lucky enough to be arrested!?!?!  He should have been mowed down and pumped full of lead!  This jerk doesn't even deserve a trial....if he is willing to kill a cop...he is willing to kill anyone.....too pissed to even expand on this...

Anyone else feel like someone's going to be killed trying to cross the street at Public Square? Construction has placed pedestrians closer to traffic than ever.

 

Every day at Ontario and Superior I witness a near miss. Usually it's careless jaywalking, but this morning was different. About 12 of us were waiting at the cross walk when the "walk" signal came on. A traffic officer started waiving us to cross.

 

Or so we thought.

 

In actuality, he was waiving the busses to continue speeding through the intersection. Some guy had to be grabbed from behind before the bus hit him. Thank God that guy was lucky. What a nightmare the square is right now.

 

 

JDD941--- If I ever meet you, the first round of beer is on me!! I agree crime has been up for a decade. How long has it been since cops have been getting bashed in the media? How much crap can a person take before he/she just does the bare minimum to get by?? I will predict this now. Some way, some how, this asshole who shot and killed the police officer will someway be depicted as a victim. Also, where is good old Art McCoy with his bullhorn now??? Where are the citizens crying and falling down to the ground??? Where is the mayor holding a conference to change the police policies??? Where is the NAACP crying racism (a white male police officer and a minority where involved after all) ??? Oh, silly me. Some working, tax paying, white male, police officer, family man, no criminal record, was not "just about to turn his life around" because his life was on the right path, got killed. Just wait until some shiftless dirtbag forces the police to shoot him. All that this officer is missing will amazingly appear.

 

Further, I would like to offer my deepest sympathies for the family of the fallen officer. I would also like to say "THANK YOU VERY MUCH" to the officer that gave his life.

" Where is the mayor holding a conference to change the police policies???"

 

Last I heard, he was with the family and fellow officers at Metrohealth expressing his sorrow.

 

Of course someone might come along and claim that this dirtbag (and yes, I think he and any copkiller is a dirtbag) was somehow a "victim", but knock it off with the idea that Clevelanders don't support cops. Every time I've met one of Cleveland's finest - the first thing I do is thank them for doing their job. I recently told the folks at 2nd district that they're underpaid and they did a fantastic job when I recently needed their help.

but knock it off with the idea that Clevelanders don't support cops.

 

I just got done watching 19 news at 11:00pm. Ed Gallek just did a story on "where is the outcry from the community". As a matter of fact, he asked "Where is Art McCoy and his bullhorn?" He interviewed that self proclaimed "community" activist. Of course, Art had no answers. Ed Gallek asked where is the community rallies? He asked why when the police shoot a person, there are demonstrations throughout Cleveland. It seems Ed Gallek must have read my previous post. So, NO, I wont knock it off about the non-support of cops. I too support cops. But people like myself and others don't make the news. Policies and procedures are to appease those that complain. Those that complain get the media attention. Media attentions leads many to believe-- Right or wrong. I believe 100% in everything I've posted.

Because if there are demonstations, then the criminals in Cleveland will change their policies on shooting cops?  Demonstrations are held for a reason, man.  I'm not saying I agree with them or with you, but your rant comes off a little tired to me.  It's just the same degree of vitriol that you hear from the other side of the issue.  The same illogic and demonization that won't help anything.

 

Now if you wanted to have a vigil for the slain officer, that would be a wonderful thing.  Or help set up a fund for his family.  Or work to improve police/community relations in your neighborhood. Or something other than just casting bile on an entire community of people.

"So, NO, I wont knock it off about the non-support of cops. I too support cops. But people like myself and others don't make the news."

 

So our viewpoint is only valid if it makes it onto Channel 19 news? Hate to break it to you, but 19 is sensationalist tripe and getting on that accomplishes zilch. Read everything X said in the second paragraph of his post - those are things that can affect change in the community.

Crime has not "been up for a decade." Period.

Crime has not "been up for a decade." Period.

 

There has always been crime in these neighborhood's and it's not a major change from the last years, just a bit higher. All else remains the same, meaning that murders, drugs, rape, and theft are all still going to be expected. The police officer being shot and killed is a tragedy, but it's not like all of the sudden that the Cudell and Detroit-Shoreway 'hoods are becoming horrible places overnight.

I feel that I need to share a particularly heinous offense that has affected my family. My sister-in-law (who I recruited to the OC from Nashville) had parked her car on Detroit Ave near W.60th. When she returned to it, she found that a white Jesus fish sticker had been placed on her trunk. Christian vandals. Nothing is unsacred anymore. All heaven has broken loose in my neighborhood.

I think I would flip out if that happened

I feel that I need to share a particularly heinous offense that has affected my family.  My sister-in-law (who I recruited to the OC from Nashville) had parked her car on Detroit Ave near W.60th. When she returned to it, she found that a white Jesus fish sticker had been placed on her trunk. Christian vandals. Nothing is unsacred anymore.  All heaven has broken loose in my neighborhood.

I saw a building tagged with "jesus loves w.25th Street" yesterday, so the problem is more widespead than you imagine.

From the 9/1/06 PD:

 

 

Neighborhood rough, getting rougher

Friday, September 01, 2006

Mark Rollenhagen

Plain Dealer Reporter

 

The violent crime rate in Cleveland's West Side Cudell neighborhood hit a 10-year high last year and some people in the neighborhood say it's getting worse.

 

"It's a normal thing to hear gunshots around here," said Lorenzo Sanders, 33, who lives on Larnder Avenue around the corner from where Detective Jonathan Schroeder was shot and killed early Thursday while serving an arrest warrant.

 

...

 

Plain Dealer reporter Brian Albrecht contributed to this story.

 

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

[email protected], 216-999-6326

 

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1157100332274620.xml&coll=2

 

this is unfortunate. I have a couple of coworkers/friends that live on what I call the outer west side, still cleveland but further west. both reported they felt subjectively an increase in crime, even gun shots (the one in the 98th lorain area), and theft and prostitution (edgewater/cudell). it is  sad b/c both parties are interested in moving. Interesting b/c one want to move to the country, the others OC or tremont (who would think you would move to these areas to escape crime, maybe we are changing) .  I have been told the crime is spreading from the near west side to further out. I honestly think this has something to do with the increase of the haves/ have nots. the "haves" are moving into the city and the "have nots "(which are growing in # every day) are getting pushed out. the middle class, what little is left of them is getting caught in the middle.

Based on our state's goofy land use/transportation policies, a particular location typically needs vacant land for it to see investment/development. We in this state don't do as much renovating, retrofitting or rejuvenating as we should to keep existing neighborhoods viable.

 

The consequence of this is that new development on vacant land at the metro area's fringe draws the existing population farther out and spreads it ever thinner (remember, this metro area hasn't grown much in population since 1960). It draws farther out a "ring of despair" that can only be slowed by those directly affected by it -- only the regulation of development at the metro area's fringe can stop it. Neighborhoods closer in are left in ruins by the "ring of despair," first suffering decay, then abandonment and, finally, partial demolition. Only then it seems are these areas ripe for investment and development dollars.

 

That's when some in the middle-class leapfrog over the "ring of despair" to repopulate what was neglected and abandoned. Reminds me of the line from a U.S. colonel in the Vietnam War: "we had to destroy the village in order to save it."

From the 9/2/06 PD:

 

 

A painfully unique club: Widows lend needed support

Survivors of officers form a special support network

Saturday, September 02, 2006

Donna J. Miller

Plain Dealer Reporter

 

When a bullet tore through the chest of Detective Jonathan "A.J." Schroeder, the slug reopened old wounds for wives, children, parents and friends of other officers who have fallen in the line of duty.

 

"Not again," widow Tracy Johnson moaned when her phone rang in the middle of the night bringing the news that another Cleveland cop had been gunned down.

 

...

 

Plain Dealer researcher Cheryl Diamond contributed to this story.

 

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

[email protected], 216-999-4852

 

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/115718622442370.xml&coll=2

 

From the 9/3/06 PD:

 

 

Police join vigil for slain Cleveland officer

Sunday, September 03, 2006

Mark Puente and Donna J. Miller

Plain Dealer Reporters

 

Red and blue flashers reflected off buildings as police cruisers and fire trucks blocked traffic Saturday in front of Madison Avenue Baptist Church.

 

About 150 people, including police and city officials, carried red roses as they marched three blocks in silence from the church to the West 98th Street house where Cleveland police Detective Jonathan "A.J." Schroeder was fatally shot late Wednesday.

 

...

 

To reach these Plain Dealer reporters:

[email protected], 440-934-0524

[email protected], 216-999-4852

 

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1157272929255570.xml&coll=2