Cleveland, a city notorious for its elevated crime rate, witnessed a staggering 421 incidents per 100,000 people in 2020, surpassing the national average by 131%.
Violent crimes, in particular, remain a pervasive concern, surging 329% above the national average.
With odds of 1 in 191, residents face a considerable risk of falling victim to crime.
While certain neighborhoods bear the brunt of this issue, no area can claim absolute safety.
Fortunately, Cleveland experienced a notable 9% decrease in crime compared to the preceding year.
Types of Crime
In 2019, Cleveland witnessed a significant number of crime incidents, as reported by the FBI.
The city recorded 5,791 instances of violent crime and 17,057 incidents related to property crime.
Among the various types of violent crimes, assault accounted for the majority, constituting 57% of the total violent crimes reported in Cleveland, according to the FBI’s data.
Robbery represented 32.7% of the overall violent crimes, while the remaining portion comprised rape and murder.
Property crimes encompassed burglary, theft, and auto theft.
Refer to the table below for a detailed breakdown of crime incidents by type in Cleveland during 2019
| Crime Type | Number of Incidents | Percentage of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 5,791 | 25.3% |
| Property Crime | 17,057 | 74.7% |
| Murder | 92 | 0.4% |
| Rape | 585 | 2.6% |
| Robbery | 1,895 | 8.3% |
| Assault | 3,219 | 14.1% |
| Burglary | 4,413 | 19.3% |
| Theft | 10,837 | 47.4% |
| Auto Theft | 1,807 | 7.9% |
Crime Trends
Cleveland’s crime rate has witnessed a decline over the past decade; however, it continues to surpass that of comparable cities in terms of size and population.
The accompanying graph illustrates the progression of violent and property crime rates per 100,000 individuals in Cleveland between 2010 and 2020.
Crime Prevention and Response
The Cleveland Police Department (CPD) serves as the foremost law enforcement agency entrusted with the crucial task of crime prevention and response within the city.
With a comprehensive structure comprising four bureaus, namely Field Operations, Homeland Special Operations, Administrative Operations, and Professional Standards, CPD effectively fulfills its mission.
Additionally, CPD collaborates closely with various local, state, and federal agencies, fostering a synergistic approach to crime combat and the overall augmentation of public safety.
The CPD offers a range of programs and services aimed at aiding citizens in preventing and reporting crime.
These initiatives include:
- Community Policing: The CPD strategically assigns officers to specific neighborhoods, fostering trust, and collaboration, and addressing residents’ concerns and needs effectively.
- Crime Stoppers: To encourage anonymous reporting of crimes or suspects, the CPD provides hotlines, text messaging services, and online forms.
- Crime Prevention: The CPD equips individuals with the information and resources necessary for safeguarding themselves and their properties. This includes valuable insights on home security, personal safety, and prevention techniques for identity theft, among others.
- Victim Assistance: The CPD extends support and assistance to crime victims, offering services such as crisis intervention, referrals to counseling, court advocacy, and guidance in filing compensation claims.
Additionally, the CPD’s website serves as a platform to disseminate crucial information to the public.
It features crime statistics and maps that provide an up-to-date overview of the city’s crime landscape, empowering citizens with awareness and knowledge.
Cleveland crime is a significant concern impacting the safety and overall well-being of both residents and tourists.
Despite witnessing a decline in recent years, crime rates in Cleveland remain considerably higher than those in other cities and the national average.
The Cleveland Police Department (CPD) diligently strives to combat and address criminal activities.
However, fostering a safer environment necessitates active engagement and cooperation from the local community.
