CLEVELAND, Ohio — Violent crime is up in many cities across the nation, including Cleveland, but so are concerns about federal involvement
As protesters and police clash across the country—including Portland, Oregon with federal troops deployed to those areas—Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams made it clear that won’t be happening in Cleveland with the launch of “Operation Legend.”
“We will never bring folks here to harm our residents. Period,” said Williams. “The people that live in this city know what’s going on. They understand the help that’s needed to get this thing under control. So, I implore the people that are in the city, don’t let people that don’t live with you—don’t experience the things you do—talk you out of something that’s going to be of assistance to the city.”
U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said approximately 25 federal investigators—six from the Drug Enforcement Administration, 10 from the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, seven from the FBI and potentially as many as 5 Deputy U.S. Marshalls—will be permanently moved to Cleveland. Herdman said they will investigate gang violence, drug related shootings and illegal firearms.
“This is the right time to do this, and any sense of urgency that you may sense from us is born out of a need to prevent additional murders and shootings,” said Herdman. “It’s not an introduction of federal riot police. It is not an introduction of federal uniformed personnel. It is not an introduction of federal agents to protect federal property.”
Herdman said homicides in Cleveland are up 13 percent from 2019, and non-fatal shootings have increased by 35 percent. Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson said federal support can help.
“The data shows, our statistics shows, and if you’re out on the street you know that violent crimes are up—particularly violent crimes with guns. And we do need assistance of our federal partners in order to help us bring that under control,” Jackson said.
