Gus, ours is a community that has strived hard to improve its image for years and become a source of pride and accomplishment for Cleveland, and a good place to live. Some struggles continue for this area, as in any mixed-income urban neighborhood, but I can not see how a story that aims at sensationalizing crime in Tremont can serve any productive purpose whatsoever. If your goal is to discourage persons from supporting or believing in the viability of Tremont or other hopeful revivals within the city of Cleveland, then go ahead and write a story geared towards evoking hysteria and panic about one of Cleveland's brightest assets. If you would rather contibute to this community's ongoing efforts which make it so unique and enouraging, then write about the tremendous block-club support, resident volunteer power, or our ability to organize incredible initiatives that secure the grants, and support to enrich the quality of life for the whole the neighborhood.
I hope others will also share their feelings about this.

Dan L is right! Thank you, Dan, for posting your comment!

Writers should focus on the good things going on in Tremont.

FYI car theft in Tremont is down. That will be partly what the story's about...

Please let me try to explain our skepticism Gus. I don't know if you have a long history here in the Cleveland area or not. If you do then you most likely already understand what I am about to tell you. There is a mindset in this community (The greater Cleveland area) that is extremely fearful of all things inner city. They are afraid of the traffic, of finding a place to park, of being in a crowd, of homeless people, of anyone who asks them for spare change, and most importantly they are afraid of crime. There is a significant number of people in our community that honestly believe that if they go into the city of Cleveland for just one evening, maybe for dinner, that they will most likey become a victim of a crime. Those of us who live and work in this city (and Tremont in particular) understand that we have some issues. We are not blind to the realities of our situation. However, we also know that the thing that hurts this city the most is the fact that many good honest citizens of our community are afraid to come here. Much less live here. Some of us have worked very hard for many years to chisel away at this fear and to try to open our neighborhood up to the only thing that can really save it (more good honest people). However, we know all too well that all it takes is a few unfortunate incidents or even one narrowly focused news article to set us back months or even years.  So all we ask is that you really ask yourself if there is a story here or not. Slight fluctuations in crime rates for the good or bad are not necessarily newsworthy. If there is really a crime related story here then by all means you are free to tell it, but keep in mind the power that you possess. You can use it for good or evil.

-MrKeith

with that said, my accura that was stolen was never found. that was my second car stolen outside of my home.

i was brought up in the inner-city so i know those things happen, what made me angry was how amused the cops were both times and questions like: "why you live down here?" to someone that lived here for since the mid-eighties. i doubt the CPD got that attitude from a couple negative articles they might of read..

Gus

Might I suggest you call Tremont West Development Corporation and talk to the Executive Director Chris Garland. Or better yet attend the TWDC  safety committee meetings to keep abreast of what the neighborhood is doing on a proactive sense in terms of crime and safety.

SRC 

now thERE's a story - abusive officers of the 2nd District.

Hey, Sammy! Gus sent an email to me last week wanting to discuss the 'rash of car thefts in Tremont,' I suggested that he: 1) Contact the 2nd District for updated crime stats; 2) Touch base with Chris Garland for an 'official statement' on behalf of the neighborhood; 3) Direct any questions about Safety Committee initiatives in the upcoming year to me. He was also invited to the next Safety Committee meeting on 5/12 at the TWDC offices at 7pm.

No response from Gus to the suggestions or invitation to the Safety meeting, but he did send another email: "I'm doing a story on car theft in Tremont- the rash last year, the recent drop, and whether it will stay that way. Hoped to get some community perspective from you."

Slightly concerning...seems almost as if the author has a pre-determined message for the article and is looking for corroboration, rather than any interest in exploring the positive, proactive community safety initiatives identified by our neighbors to focus on in the coming months.

We might be missing the point here. Or it's a good possibility that I'm the one missing the point. Someone is missing a point or two.

I understand why we want to get good press for our community. I own rental property here, and like everyone else, this community and it's reputation takes a direct hit on my personal pocketbook. But I still believe in this neighborhood and our community, which is why I'm still here.

However, I think if we focused on fixing the problems, there would be no bad things happening to create a situation severe enough that a reporter could have the basis to write a story about.

Not many people want to attempt fixing, or even acknowleding, the REAL problems we have. Our police are grossly understaffed, operating with old 20th century technology and equipment, and often not supported or backed up by the city. Our politicians and government are completely corrupted... our system is broken, that's why criminals are left to run rampant and unchecked. That's why there is material to write a news article such as was suggested.

The answer is not to silence what is going on here. It's my feeling that's a big part of the problem, too many people attempting to hush the problems rather than take care of them.

We don't need more hot air, and I'm not suggesting vigilantism, but as a community, as a country, we need to say "WE'RE MAD AS HELL AND WE WON'T TAKE IT ANYMORE."

Why don't you suggest vigilantism?  You noted that the cops are under-staffed and other posters have explained their not-so-pleasant experiences with the CPD. 

 I think another big picture issue is the continued and failed policy of trying to mix section 8 housing in with stable communities.  Regardless of what your views are on the causes of poverty, everyone agrees that poverty generally breeds crime.  Thus, by putting section 8 in with developing areas, all you are going to see is an increase in crime. 

 I am not saying that section 8 should be built off on some deserted island.  But I am saying that it is pure idiocy to think it will add anything to a developing community.  The negative results of intra-district busing are similar to putting section 8 in communities.  If you would like proof, go drive around South Euclid, parts of Cleveland Hts, and Lakewood. 

Pavarini,

It is not a commonly accepted fact that our police force is understaffed. I believe that our police officer per resident number is similiar to that of other cities of our size. As far as the quality of our technology and equipment, I have no idea. You may be right about that.