Cleveland homicides increase in 2012 by at least 20; burglaries and arsons down

CLEVELAND - There were at least 20 more homicides in Cleveland in 2012 than the year before, while burglaries and arsons were on the decline.

Cleveland Division of Police crime statistics for the period from Jan. 1, 2012 through Dec. 28, 2012 show 95 homicides compared to 75 in 2011, 555 rapes compared to 482 in 2011, and 3,235 robberies compared to 3,200 in 2011.

"There's been a tremendous increase in gang recruitment in the detention centers, the juvenile facilities," community activist Khalid Samad said. "The fastest growing gang in the state of Ohio is called the Heartless Felons which is dominant in housing projects on the southeast side as well as on the west side of Cleveland, north side, so it's not surprising at all."

Samad said the poverty rate and unemployment among African American males also have an impact.

"What we have to do is get the corporate community involved with initiatives that involve outreach, doing prevention and intervention," he said.

While homicide, rape and robbery were up in 2012, there was a decline in burglary, arson, and grand theft motor vehicle cases.