Summary
- A representative from 311 gave a presentation about what 311 is and what it does. Residents at the meeting provided both positive and negative feedback. The representative offered to help resolve some issues residents were having with 311.
- This Second District Community Relations Safety Meeting included elections for positions related to running future meetings. The position of meeting secretary was filled for the first time.
- The Cleveland Division of Fire will replace smoke detectors for free via a partnership with the American Red Cross.
Follow-up questions
- What can be done to discourage people from illegal dumping?
- How will having the secretary position filled change the dynamic of the meeting? What opportunities does it present?
Scene setting
The meeting began at 6 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. It was facilitated by Cleveland Police Second District Commander Timothy Maffo-Judd and co-chair Eden LeBouton. Luis Gonzalez Jr., from the Cleveland Community Relations Board, and Meeting Treasurer Rose Roy were also in attendance. Here is the agenda.
Note: The Second District includes the near West and near Southwest parts of Cleveland.
Maffo-Judd opened the meeting asking if anyone was attending for the first time. Four new attendees were present, myself included. Maffo-Judd announced that meeting elections would be held during the meeting. Maffo-Judd also said to contact him or Cleveland Police Captain Brian McEntee if anyone in attendance has issues in their neighborhood or anything to highlight.
Second District crime statistics
Presented by Maffo-Judd.
This year, through April 14, there have been 69,800 calls for service citywide, with the Second District having had 15,800 calls for service. There were 33 arrests in the Second District in April, 77 in March, and 193 since the beginning of 2026. Maffo-Judd directed attendees to the City of Cleveland’s data portal, which has a dashboard that provides crime statistics for all five police districts.
Other statistics provided include:
Time of day when crime happens:
- 6 p.m. to midnight – 37% of crimes
- Midnight to 6 a.m. – 21%
- 6 a.m. to noon – 14%
- Noon to 6 p.m. – 27%
Arrests by age group in Second District, year to date:
- 18-25 – 34 arrests
- 26-35 – 58 arrests
- 36-45 – 48 arrests
- 46-55 – 30 arrests
- 56-65 – 17 arrests
- 65+ – 6 arrests
Arrests by sex:
- Male – 80%
- Female – 20%
Note: Statistics for non-binary individuals were not provided.
There have been 535 traffic stops in the Second District to date in 2026.
There have been 577 officer “park, walk and talks” this year in the Second District. Officers “quite literally, park, walk and talk to people, whether it’s in a business, on the street, at the Speedway at night, all hours of the day,” according to Maffo-Judd. Maffo-Judd said the Second District prides itself in “leading the city in community engagement and engaging the community.” There have been “401 community engagement, officer-initiated, get out and do community engagements with either kids, adults, whatever, and engage the community.”
Maffo-Judd also touched on community problem-oriented policing (CPOP), which serves to recognize problem and nuisance areas so that officers can place a greater focus on the areas identified as such.
Maffo-Judd recognized the Cleveland Police Auxiliary officers in attendance. Cleveland Auxiliary Police are currently hiring.
Case updates from Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s office
Shannon Musson provided several case updates.
A young man pleaded to a felonious assault with a gun specification and was sentenced for an incident that occurred on Marvin Avenue and West 25th Street. The defendant was sentenced to nine years in prison by Judge Kevin Kelley.
Another man received a sentence of community control (where people are monitored outside of prison) for fleeing the scene after a fatal accident.
Musson provided updates on two incidents in the Ohio City area, one on Sept. 23 at Market Square Park where a man was shot in the leg and another shooting 20 days later on Carroll Court. Shell casings were recovered from both shootings, and it was determined they came from the same gun, which identified the shooter. The shooter pleaded guilty on April 13 and is facing nine to 12 years in prison.
Another defendant in another shooting pleaded guilty and was sentenced to community control because “the victim was out of state, he didn’t come to court, and he just wanted to work out a plea,” according to Musson.
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There was an altercation at Medieval Pub that resulted in a shooting. All involved have been charged. One defendant was sentenced to 10 years in prison by Judge Andrew Santoli.
Musson also mentioned the Cleveland-Cuyahoga Environmental Crimes Task Force, which works to investigate and prosecute environmental crimes, particularly open dumping, also known as illegal dumping. A flyer about the Environmental Crimes Task Force was provided with information about handling illegal dumping. [Editor’s note: Find scanned handouts from the meeting here.]
City of Cleveland – 311 Call Center
A representative for the 311 Call Center gave a presentation about the service and how it can serve the residents of Cleveland. Calls are taken 24/7 between 311 representatives and by 211 representatives after hours. It handles non-emergency calls that pertain to city services. Residents can call for issues such as, but not limited to, nuisance properties, potholes, missed garbage pickup, broken traffic signals, street lights, downed trees, public health complaints, etc.
One resident said that “311 does not work” because people are still leaving out trash bins, and another said she could not get through when a tree had fallen across her street. Other attendees provided positive feedback.
Division of Fire Public Education Team
A representative spoke about the free smoke alarm program, which is a partnership with the American Red Cross. If anyone needs a new smoke alarm, a flyer was provided with a QR code and a phone number that residents can use to request a new smoke alarm. Residents can call 216-361-5535.
Other announcements
One attendee announced a community dinner on Monday, April 20, in the Stockyard neighborhood.
Dot Martin plugged the Old Brooklyn Crime Watch, which meets the third Monday of each month at St. James Lutheran Church. All are welcome to attend.
Martin also mentioned the Cleveland Community Builders gathering on April 25, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Trinity Commons, 2333 Prospect Ave. Free parking is on site.
Tammy Houghton, branch manager of Cleveland Public Library, Fulton Campus. Houghton spoke about the Maker Tech lab at the library, which offers a Cricut machine, 3D printer, and a laser engraver. Maker Monday is scheduled for Monday, April 27, where the project will be a 3D canvas bouquet. Free Comic Book Day is May 1.
Meeting staff elections were held. Keith Washington, Eden LeBouton, and Fred Fleming all ran for co-chair. Fleming dropped out, and LeBouton retained her seat. Meeting Treasurer Rose Roy ran unopposed, and John Caine won the secretary position unopposed, as LeBouton dropped out of the election for that seat. Prior to voting, each candidate had a chance to speak to the attendees.
These notes are by Documenter Kerry Flood-Mellen. Documenter Julia Brookover recorded audio of the meeting.
If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@signalcleveland.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.
