Ohio 2023 PSN Northern District

Proposal Abstract

The Northern Ohio Violent Crime Consortium (NOVCC) 2023 PSN strategy is guided by data-driven decision making, collaboration, and implementation of evidence-based practices.  All four PSN design features (community engagement, prevention and intervention, focused and strategic enforcement, and accountability) are included in the NOVCC strategy to varying degrees with focused and strategic enforcement included in all eight cities.   In response to the violence in eight cities, the NOVCC will use a range of targeted responses to create safer communities.  In addition, NOVCC will continue to operate the Regional Crime Analysis Task Force (CATF) working collaboratively to share, access, and exchange as much information, databases, and reports/bulletins as operations permit; identify and utilize technology that prevents and/or responds to violent crime;  implement strategies that expand regional crime analysis; and strengthen the skills of crime analysts.

The eight NOVCC cities (Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Elyria, Lorain, Mansfield, Toledo, and Youngstown) will be the geographical focus of the PSN strategy supported by federal and state law enforcement and a variety of local government and non-profit agencies in each community.  Grant funds will be used to implement evidence-based violence reduction demonstration projects, support CATF activities, oversee fiscal management and reporting, and collect data and evaluate NOVCC PSN activities.  The NOVCC partner agencies will continue to implement activities that address all four PSN design features by achieving the following objectives:  1) utilize data and intelligence analysis to understand the underlying problems and drivers of violent crime in the eight NOVCC cities in order to intervene, prevent, and improve outcomes; 2) engage law enforcement and community stakeholders in collaborative, evidence-based, and targeted demonstration projects in the eight NOVCC cities to prevent and respond to violence in their communities; and 3) increase understanding, trust, and accountability between the community and law enforcement through education, collaboration, and information-sharing. Achievement of these objectives will be realized through the following:  1) management team coordination, oversight, and consultation; 2) wide-ranging communication and engagement through Executive Committee, CATF, demonstration project, and community meetings; ongoing emails; use of the CATF communications platform and document repository; and phone calls; 3)  implementation of eight focused and strategic enforcement demonstration projects; 4) training on a range of topics that enhance knowledge and skills and support PSN activities; 5) the annual PSN kick-off educational and planning session; and 6) data collection and evaluation.