Homicide Rates Falling in U.S. Cities, but Not in Cleveland – A Troubling Trend
Homicide Rates Drop in U.S. Cities, but Cleveland Sees Increase
According to the article of News 5 Cleveland, after a big jump during the pandemic, homicide rates are now dropping in many big U.S. cities. But in Cleveland, murders are still going up. Data from local police show a 13.46% increase in homicides this year in Cleveland. This is very different from other cities like Akron and Cincinnati, where homicide rates are going down by about the same percentage.
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(PHOTO: Travel + Leisure)
Former CIA Analyst Jeff Asher Collects Data on U.S. Homicide Rates
Jeff Asher, who used to work for the CIA and now co-runs AH Datalytics, collects murder data from over 100 U.S. cities. He says the U.S. is on track to see one of the biggest drops in homicides since the 1960s. “The best explanation is that the effects of the pandemic are fading away,” Asher said.
Cleveland’s High Homicide Rates Exacerbated by Pandemic
However, Cleveland’s situation is different. Rachel Lovell, head of the Criminology Research Center at Cleveland State University, says several factors contribute to the rising homicide rate. Cleveland already had high violent crime levels before the pandemic and was often ranked among the most dangerous U.S. cities. Lovell explains that while cities with lower crime rates recovered more easily after the pandemic, Cleveland’s crime issues worsened. “The pandemic worsened Cleveland’s already severe crime problems,” she said.
Ohio’s Gun Laws Contribute to Cleveland’s Rising Homicide Rates
Lovell also points out that Ohio’s gun laws make it easy for people to get guns, leading to more violent crime. “Research shows that states making it harder for people to get guns or for police to take guns from those who shouldn’t have them see less crime,” Lovell explained.
Cleveland’s Shrinking Police Force Struggles to Combat Homicides
Another issue is Cleveland’s shrinking police force. The city lost 32% of its officers during the pandemic and hasn’t hired enough detectives for the homicide unit, despite recommendations. As of August 29, there were only 17 detectives in the unit, much fewer than needed.
Mayor Justin Bibb Addresses Cleveland’s Crime and Police Staffing Issues
Mayor Justin Bibb talked about this problem at a recent news conference. He admitted, “We have a lot more work to do.” He praised the hard work of Cleveland’s police and mentioned new efforts to hire and keep more officers. But the police force is still very understaffed.
Experts Say Hiring More Officers is Only Part of the Solution
Experts say hiring more officers is only part of the answer. Asher warns against saying the drop in homicides is just because the pandemic is ending, noting that homicide rates also dropped a lot in the 1990s without clear reasons. Lovell suggests treating the crime problem like a public health issue and supporting community groups that help keep neighborhoods safe.
Families of Unsolved Murder Victims Seek Answers and Justice
Families like that of Brian Gardner, who was shot and killed on Cleveland’s East Side in January 2022, are feeling the pain. His mother, Ayesha Muwakkil, and sister, Samantha Dunnigan, are still hurting and want answers about his unsolved murder. “How do you come back from this?” Dunnigan asked, showing the deep grief and frustration many in the city feel.
Cleveland’s Rising Homicide Rates Highlight Complex Challenges
Cleveland’s rising murders, while other cities see drops, show how complex the problem is and how much work is needed to find solutions.
READ ALSO: Boston Sees 80% Drop In Homicides In 2024: Major Crime Reduction
