News Summary
In response to a shooting that injured six individuals in The Flats, Cleveland has implemented enhanced security measures. The incident occurred outside Play Bar after a Browns game, with rapid police response following the chaos. Local authorities have pledged to maintain a more visible police presence, as concerns grow about safety in the district. A business owner raised issues about security inadequacies, while the bar involved faces legal challenges due to its shutdown. Overall, the recent violence highlights the need for greater safety measures in Cleveland’s nightlife hubs.
Cleveland has implemented increased security measures in The Flats following a gunfire incident that injured six individuals on September 7, 2023. The violent outburst occurred outside Play Bar shortly after the Cleveland Browns home opener, leading to chaos and a rapid response from local authorities.
The incident unfolded when a fight broke out on Front Street near West 10th Street, escalating quickly as four assailants fired approximately 40 shots into the crowd. The victims, ranging in age from 16 to 45, suffered various injuries, including two individuals who were shot in the back. Among the individuals charged in connection with the shooting is Savone Robinson, 21, who has been accused of felonious assault and aggravated riot. Robinson fled the scene immediately after the shooting and has since been apprehended.
Authorities have stated that they do not believe gang activity played a role in the incident. Of the injured, two victims were located in a parking lot across from Punch Bowl Social and three were found near the Play Bar & Grill, emphasizing the chaotic nature of the scene.
Cleveland Police Chief Annie Todd clarified that the department was not understaffed at the time of the shooting, explaining that officers were assigned to different locations in downtown Cleveland due to the heavy traffic following the Browns game. In response to the incident, local businesses and police have formed a plan to enhance their collaboration to ensure a more visible police presence in The Flats area. Chief Todd has outlined a redeployment strategy aimed at maintaining a significant police presence in the neighborhood, irrespective of traffic conditions.
Michael Grano, a business owner in The Flats, expressed concerns about security measures, suggesting that additional presence could have potentially prevented the incident. Following the shooting, officials boarded up Play Bar & Grill, which led to a legal dispute, as the bar’s owner has filed a lawsuit claiming violations of due process associated with the establishment’s shutdown.
This bar has a checkered history, having previously operated as Anejo Tequila Joint, where a customer was fatally shot in February 2022. Over the past year, the East Bank of The Flats region has experienced over 300 reported crimes, including theft and felony assaults, which has raised concerns among residents and business owners.
Cleveland’s law director, Mark Griffin, mentioned that the bar has the opportunity to contest the shutdown order and may face additional, undisclosed citations. Local stakeholders, including residents and business owners, are striving to reassure the public about the safety of The Flats following these incidents.
The recent surge in violence has prompted a need for more substantial security measures in popular nightlife venues, indicating a pressing challenge for law enforcement and city officials in maintaining safety and public trust in the vibrant district of The Flats.
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Additional Resources
- News 5 Cleveland
- Cleveland.com
- Cleveland 19 News
- Fox News
- CBS News
- Wikipedia: Cleveland
- Google Search: Cleveland shooting
- Google Scholar: Cleveland violent incidents
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Ohio
- Google News: Flats Cleveland shooting
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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
