News Summary
U.S. Representative Max Miller has called for the Ohio National Guard to be deployed to Cleveland due to rising crime rates, which include 46 homicides in six months. Miller highlighted community safety concerns and the impact of crime on families and businesses. While he advocates for military support, local leaders emphasize addressing underlying issues and improving partnerships with law enforcement. This ongoing debate reflects differing approaches to combating crime in urban areas.
Cleveland – U.S. Representative Max Miller (R-OH-7) has called on Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to deploy the Ohio National Guard to Cleveland to combat the city’s rising crime rates. In an opinion piece, Miller highlighted the alarming crime situation in Cleveland, reporting that families feel unsafe walking in their neighborhoods and that small businesses are closing or boarding up.
According to Miller, Cleveland recorded 46 homicides in the first half of 2023, which breaks down to an average of more than seven homicides per month. He further stated that the city has experienced approximately 6,100 violent crimes this year, translating to a violent crime rate of roughly 1,703 incidents per 100,000 residents. Miller emphasized the impact on families, indicating that many parents are afraid to let their children play outside. He argued that this indicates a failure to ensure safety for the community.
Miller’s concerns were exacerbated by recent tragic events, including the death of a police officer in the line of duty and a shooting incident that injured five individuals after a Cleveland Browns game. In his piece, Miller draw parallels with the deployment of the National Guard in Washington D.C. during former President Trump’s administration, asserting that it was effective in stabilizing crime rates.
While Miller pushes for the National Guard’s support, a spokesperson for Governor DeWine clarified that requests for the National Guard typically need to come from city mayors. As of now, there has been no request made by Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb. Mayor Bibb’s office has stated that reducing crime is a top priority for his administration, and they believe partnerships with local law enforcement are the most effective approach to achieving safety in the city.
Opposing Miller’s proposal, Rep. Shontel Brown (D-OH-11), who also represents parts of Cleveland, criticized the notion that deploying the National Guard is a necessary solution. Brown focus on the importance of tackling the underlying causes of crime instead of relying on a military approach. She pointed out that crime rates in Cleveland are actually decreasing and suggested that the focus should be on increasing funding for violence prevention programs and reducing access to firearms for criminals.
Miller argued that ignoring the growing lawlessness would be more extreme than taking action through the National Guard. He presented the National Guard as a vital resource for maintaining peace and securing essential infrastructure in high-crime areas.
The context of Cleveland’s crime woes is notable, as the city was ranked as one of the most dangerous in the United States in 2022, with high violent crime rates repeatedly highlighted by multiple reports. Miller’s representation encompasses Ohio’s 7th congressional district, which includes suburbs located south and west of Cleveland rather than the urban center itself.
Given the divided opinions on the best approach to addressing crime in Cleveland, the conversation continues among political leaders, local authorities, and community advocates. The future response to the city’s crime problem will likely influence public sentiment and policy moving forward, demonstrating the broader conversation about safety and community well-being in urban areas.
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Additional Resources
- Cleveland 19 News
- WKYC News
- The Hill
- Washington Times
- Cleveland.com
- Wikipedia: Cleveland
- Google Search: Cleveland crime rates
- Google Scholar: crime prevention programs
- Encyclopedia Britannica: National Guard
- Google News: Cleveland crime
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CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER The CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HERECleveland.com, your premier source for actionable local news and information in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with in-depth coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—backed by years of expert reporting and robust community input, including local press releases and business updates, while providing top reporting on high-profile events like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions, Cleveland International Film Festival, and holiday parades, alongside key organizations such as the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Orchestra, and Great Lakes Science Center, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare like Sherwin-Williams and University Hospitals, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREDayton.com, offering comprehensive, credible insights into Ohio's vibrant landscape. HERE Cleveland HERE Dayton
