Over 35 years, Becca Huth has seen her Willys Park neighborhood shift dramatically.
Ms. Huth said neighbors once spent time outside getting to know those who live in the area. Now, it’s less clear if those walking by belong there or not.
“There’s a loss of community, and really we don’t look out for each other,” she said.
Ms. Huth was among 11 attendees Wednesday evening at a public forum to discuss Toledo’s Operation STOP program. City Councilman Tyrone Riley and police Capt. Jay Pachell hosted the event at Eleanor Kahle Senior Center.
The program, which stands for Strategic Tactical Operational Policing, uses crime data and community policing to alleviate crime. Department administrators announced the plan about six weeks ago.
District stations select small areas in the city based on crime trends, target repeat offenders there, and increase law-enforcement presence. They follow up with door-to-door meetings.
Toledo has recorded 14 homicides and 42 gunshot victims so far this year, according to a Blade review of public records.
Law enforcement in the program have arrested 116 people, seized $2,400 in drugs, and contacted 804 residents. This is not a zero-tolerance approach, and those interactions matter, Captain Pachell said.
“You’re going to tell us things we don’t know,” Captain Pachell said.
Mr. Riley said residents want to know what police are doing to address violent crime. Operation STOP is still new, and he has not heard much feedback, he said.
“I think it’s a valuable program that the police are employing to curb and control violent crime in the neighborhood and in the area,” Mr. Riley said.
Residents most frequently express concerns about drug activity and ensuing crime, Mr. Riley said.
This proactive effort will allow officers and residents to better understand neighborhood problems, Mr. Riley said. The chief, he said, does not want to create adversaries with additional enforcement.
“He wanted to conduct it in a manner to show the community that they were being allies, as opposed to the enemy,” Mr. Riley said.
Contact Ryan Dunn at: rdunn@theblade.com, 419-724-6095, or on Twitter @rdunnblade.
First Published April 27, 2017, 4:00 a.m.
