The mayor creates a task force specifically for street takeovers

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – University Circle Police released new video of one of seven street takeovers in Cleveland Saturday evening.

“It’s very disturbing that they believe there are no consequences, that they can hide behind their actions and do whatever they want,” said University Chapter Lt. Steve Brady.

His officers responded to a takeover at the intersection of MLK and East 105th.

The video shows two cars eating donuts at an intersection while people sit outside their windows.

Dozens of other people wearing masks stand dangerously close with their cell phones out.

Brady claims that during the takeover one of their cruisers was damaged and an officer was hit by an air gun. They were not seriously injured.

According to Cleveland Police Chief Annie Todd, the takeovers began around 11 p.m

Our team discovered that the Ohio State Highway Patrol was not requested to assist until Sunday morning around 4:30. That’s over 5 hours since the chaos started.

OSHP says it has sent a total of eight troopers to the city of Cleveland to help clean up the interstates.

We were told that county officials also assisted in several locations that evening by deploying a security patrol downtown.

On Monday, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb said his administration plans to do something about foreclosures that are happening too often in the city.

“As your mayor, I will not tolerate this,” Bibb said. “That is why I have directed my administration to pursue innovative ways to address this problem directly.”

The mayor’s office told 19 News it has formed a police-led task force that will include detectives from all 5 counties.

The task force will also devote time to investigating these specific crimes with the assistance of the Traffic Bureau, Anti-Gang and Drug Enforcement Units and crime analysts.

There were at least 7 street takeovers on Saturday. Sky Garmen told 19 News things like this happen often on West 25th and Lorain.

“The police see them and don’t stop them,” Garmen said. “They don’t have enough people.”

Mayor Bibb says he is working on the problem.

The mayor’s office tells 19 News they are considering implementing street milling and the possibility of placing rubber pellets in high-traffic areas where such takeovers occur.

The mayor also hopes that the new regulations will help prosecute people for these crimes.

But first we need to catch the people responsible.

So far, 19 News has not received any information about any arrests made by Cleveland Police.

University Police and Highway P tell 19 News no arrests were made during these seizures.

The city is asking for your help to make these arrests and stop future foreclosures. They want you to tell the police if you see anything related to these crimes. This includes detailed information as it is planned and/or occurs in real time, as well as providing information after it occurs.

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