On Tuesday, thousands of communities, including Cleveland, participated in the 36th Annual National Night Out event, where millions of people across the country come together to help make their cities better.
The community-building campaign promoting police and neighborhood partnerships, which was called “Mayor’s Night Out Against Crime," took place in five police districts throughout Cleveland.
There were dozens of officers in attendance playing with children, talking with community members over hot dogs and hamburgers, while the city also showcased a number of programs people may not have known about.
It was an effort to boost the spirit and morale of the community to assist in helping reduce violence and fight back against crime.
Sharyna Cloud knows it takes a team effort to get the job done. Cloud works as the Executive Director of Cleveland Peacemakers Alliance. She says outreach events, where you can put a face to the badge, can only help.
"That gives the community some type of hope,” she said.
Cloud’s organization helps teenagers and young adults who are affected by violent crime. She says it uses former gang member to help them find a better way.
"If we can target what's really the ailment behind the action. We can begin to address it properly."
While violent crime is down in Cleveland, homicides are still a problem. So far this year, there’s been 61 homicides, according to the Cleveland Police Department. The city is on pace to have the sixth consecutive year of more than 100 homicides.
"They're traumatized,” Mayor Frank Jackson said. “They tend to make the wrong decision."
Mayor Jackson says that's why the city has invested more than one million dollars, staffing rec centers with trauma-trained social workers.
"Crime is really the manifestation of something. It's a symptom,” he said.
Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams says nationwide night out events is the kind of outreach that can assist in fighting crime.
"This is telling the public, 'we're here, you need to be here so we can make the community safer',” he said.
He also says the department has hired more than 230 cops and is looking to add more soon. It would be a group that could help in patrolling the streets.
Chief Williams admits more needs to be done, stressing they need the public’s help too.
"1,500, 1800, and 2,000 police officers is nothing compared to 300,000 citizens' eyes and ears helping us reduce crime,” he said.