Cuyahoga County debates future of Downtown Safety Patrol after deadly chase
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
/2025/04/28/1745864855957.gif?w=3840)
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
The future of the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Downtown Safety Patrol is in jeopardy after a high-speed chase last month resulted in the death of a fleeing driver and an innocent bystander.
Why it matters: The DSP was launched in 2023 in response to high-profile violent crime downtown. It has been portrayed as a regional success story — the county lending a hand in the face of Cleveland's persistent officer shortage and strained resources.
- But last month's explosive chase caused Cuyahoga County Council to raise questions about the unit's policies and funding.
The latest: After a contentious council hearing last week, legislation to suspend the DSP has been referred to a Committee of the Whole hearing May 13.
By the numbers: Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne supports the DSP. He noted in a statement that since its launch, the unit has confiscated 291 illegally possessed firearms, 65 of which were connected to violent crimes.
- Deputies have made 103 felony arrests and confiscated nearly $200,000 tied to illegal drug sales.
Catch up quick: At the hearing, Ronayne, local law enforcement officials and downtown residents all opposed the legislation.
- Ronayne said the county council should not be legislating at a budget line-item level.
What they're saying: Mayor Justin Bibb also addressed the controversy last week at his State of the City address.
- "It's the wrong move," he said of the legislation. "Last time I checked, Cleveland was still a part of Cuyahoga County."
Friction point: Some opponents, including local law enforcement union representatives and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, accused the council of "defunding the police."
Reality check: "This legislation doesn't cut a single penny from the Sheriff's budget," said councilwoman Sunny Simon, in a statement.
- "We are purely looking at the costs and benefits of this work, which is what we should be doing as the stewards of taxpayer dollars."
Between the lines: Policy questions aside, council members indicated that they would be more supportive of the DSP if the city of Cleveland helped pay for it.
Ronayne told Cleveland.com he would broach that topic with Bibb.