CLEVELAND — Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb held a press conference on the rise of gun violence in the city and across the country on June 7.

Others who spoke at the press conference included Interim Chief of Police Wayne Drummond, Safety Director Karrie D. Howard, and EMS Commissioner Nicole A. Carlton. 

Drummond got emotional when recalling the death of a young boy due to gun violence.

“Here’s a 10-year-old that’s dead. His family’s life is changed forever," Drummond said. "Life has to go on, we all know that and so as a police officer for 33 years, I’m thinking to myself what can I do, what can we do collectively, to prevent those things from happening."

Drummond is not the only one who was visibly affected by the topic. Bibb said he's angry about what’s going on in this city and this country.

“I feel paralyzed and handcuffed by the lack of real, comprehensive gun legislation in congress and the fact that we have a state that doesn’t give me as mayor the tools I need to combat the illegal traffic of guns that plague our city day in and day out,” he said. 

Bibb said his administration is taking action on this issue. The state gave Cleveland money for resources, which will include having more police walking the beat this summer, along with new programs being put into place to keep kids off the streets.

“We have been also working closely with Youth Opportunities Unlimited and CMSD to make sure young people have productive things to do this summer once school ends,” Bibb said. 

Bibb explained that putting an end to gun violence is not a simple task, but one he does not plan on giving up on.

“We have a long road ahead," he said. "This issue will not be solved overnight, but know that we are working tirelessly at the Bibb administration to combat gun violence all across our city."

BY KATIE PRIEFER CLEVELAND
PUBLISHED 6:45 PM ET JUN. 07, 2022