Violent Crime Drops In Cleveland Heights For 3rd Straight Year

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — For the third straight year, Cleveland Heights police reported a dip in violent crimes.

Between 2018 and 2019, Cleveland Heights police reported a 24.5 percent decrease in violent crime. The FBI's definition of violent crime includes: murders, rape, robbery and aggravated assault.

Last year, the city reported a 28 percent decrease in violent crime from 2017 to 2018.

Police Chief Annette Mecklenburg said her department has been using statistics and crime reporting to drive deployment of officers. If a neighborhood sees an uptick in crime, even a slight increase, officers are sent to increase police visibility and enhance enforcement, she said.

"The police department also tries to maintain positive relationships with members of the community and encourages residents to call the police to report any suspicious or criminal activity they observe," Mecklenburg told Patch. "Many times reports from residents allow us to respond quickly and potentially prevent any crime from occurring through our presence. Open communications with our residents is vitally important and we work hard every day to expand our outreach and communications."

One of the department's other key efforts to reduce crime is its focus on juvenile offenders.

"Juveniles who are charged with minor crimes have the opportunity to participate in the diversion program which focuses on first-time offenders and is aimed at reducing the recidivism rates of juvenile offenders," Mecklenburg said. "The recidivism rate of juveniles who have successfully completed the program is very low and by all accounts has been very successful in teaching juveniles to make better choices and re-direct them from committing further criminal acts."

Through the first half of 2020, police have reported a 21 percent decrease in violent crime and a 22 percent decrease in property crimes. Based on numbers from Cleveland Heights police, here are how many violent crimes were committed in the first quarter of 2020:

• Murders: 1
• Rape: 0
• Robberies: 3
• Aggravated assault: 6

Here are the statistics for the second quarter of 2020:

• Murders: 1
• Rape: 2
• Robberies: 6
• Aggravated assault: 7

The numbers used to determine violent crime rates are reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program.

"Cleveland Heights police officers are very proactive in the community while patrolling their assigned areas to prevent criminal activity from occurring. They are committed every day to making Cleveland Heights a safe and inviting place to live and visit," Mecklenburg said.