Public Comment

With the presence of University Circle PD, Case PD, Cleveland PD, and East Cleveland PD currently patrolling this area, expansion of Case PD to these areas is a gross overreach and will only infringe upon these communities. If Case is going to expand their policing to Ashbury/Little Italy, they should also put their resources and time into developing community resources in these neighborhoods and improving accessibility (salting and plowing roads and sidewalks) during the winter months.

Currently, boarding public transit without paying fare can result in fines up to $250 and up to 30 days in jail. I request City Council to think deeply about what purpose this response to fare evasion is serving. A person who cannot afford $2.50 for fare will likely be unable to pay a fine ten times as much, and a jail sentence of any length does not match up with such a minor infraction. Leaving fare evasion as a criminal offense ultimately does nothing but further burden the impacted individuals, who are overwhelmingly poor and/or people of color, with the legal and social stigma of a criminal record, which will follow them for years to come, if not the rest of their lives. Is it fair and just for someone to be potentially shut out of housing, educational, and employment opportunities just because they could not afford to pay $2.50? A person in that situation needs help rather than punishment. It's time for Cleveland to reassert itself as a great city and move towards decriminalizing fare evasion.

I would like to comment on the state of the roads and sidewalks during this and many other winters. While larger streets get plowed ( making it impossible to walk on the sidewalk if you are a pedestrian), neighborhoods (of whom I’m sure also pay taxes) are left to shovel feet of snow off roads and walkways. You all are aware, as we are, when winter weather will be present. Walking in the street as a pedestrian is dangerous enough without the added danger of snow. It is your responsibility to keep our roads and sidewalks safe and USEABLE. You all are doing an awful job at it and I would like to see improvements. Thank you.

Students Against Marshall has reviewed emergency resolution #22-2022 and so announces its concurrence with the Council's belief: 1. That because of Chief Justice John Marshall's life long association with slavery, the C|M|Law naming committee should eliminate any reference to him regarding the college of law and further: 2. This constitutes an emergency measure for the immediate preservation of public peace, property, health, and safety. Therefore, the Students Against Marshall request the Council members to affirmatively vote today for the resolution to take effect and be in force immediately upon its adoption and approval by the Mayor or the earliest period allowed by law. More information regarding Students Against Marshall, the law school's 2021 diversity report, and the naming committee's community survey which expires next Friday Jan 17 2022, is available online at the following link: www.linktr (dot) ee/csusam or the Instagram handle @students_against_marshall Thank you for your consideration.