How Toledo is Improving Neighborhoods to Build Safer Communities

Safety begins at home, in the neighborhoods where Toledo residents live, work, and raise their families. When streets feel secure, housing is stable, and families are supported, communities thrive.

Gun violence comes with a hefty cost, not just in the lives lost, but each fatal shooting costs the region $883,771.95—funds that could transform our neighborhoods into safer, thriving communities. A public health approach to reducing violence in our community requires we look upstream and address the root causes of violence. While it is difficult to measure the crimes that didn't happen, the cost of gun violence study allows us to understand the financial benefit to interrupting cycles of violence in our community.

🎧 Listen to the Wednesdays with Wade Podcast Ep. 62: The Cost of Gun Violence

Peace in Motion, Toledo’s 5-Year Comprehensive Safety Plan, includes 42 targeted recommendations to reduce gun violence by fostering safer neighborhoods and creating opportunities for all residents. For the month of February, follow the city on other platforms to learn more about the work being done to create environments that foster opportunity, stability, and safety for everyone.

🎧 Listen to the Wednesdays with Wade Podcast Ep. 43: MONSE Launches Peace in Motion

The Role of Public Safety

It is critical to invest in public safety, and growing the size of the police force continues to be a priority. Increased staffing allows for more officers on foot patrols, engaging directly with residents and building trust in the community. In 2024, the city saw homicide rates decline for the third consecutive year. Other crimes, including auto thefts and burglaries, also saw significant declines, and continue on their downward trajectory in the first month of 2025.

Fire & Rescue plays a critical role in neighborhood safety, responding to over 50,000 emergency calls annually, including 2,300 vehicle and structure fires and 20,000 medical transports. Continued investments in personnel, equipment, and facilities, as well as the completion of the EMS conversion, ensure fast response times and high-quality emergency services for those in crisis.

Emergency services are critical for our response to criminal activity, but investing in intervention and prevention strategies helps to reduce over-reliance on police to address social issues, helping our entire safety ecosystem operate more efficiently.

Safer Housing and Neighborhoods

Housing stability is a cornerstone of neighborhood safety, and Toledo is working to ensure every resident has access to secure, healthy living conditions. In 2024, the city financed the construction of 230 new affordable housing units for seniors, families, and youth aging out of foster care. This month, the city will break ground on 70 new units and cut the ribbon on another large housing project.

Toledo also removed over 300 unsafe, vacant buildings and collected 1,207,492 pounds of waste from neighborhood streets, reducing blight and safety risks. Meanwhile, the city replaced 40 roofs, completed 25 whole house renovations, and conducted 68 emergency repairs through various programs in 2024.

To help residents achieve housing stability, the Home at Last program created 35 new homeowners last year, while the inaugural Homeownership Fair engaged over 300 prospective buyers. At the same time, the Landlord Education Fair provided resources and training for 150 landlords, helping improve tenant relationships and property standards.

Neighborhoods also become safer when more people are actively using community spaces, providing natural surveillance through their presence and engagement. Investing in infrastructure improvements—such as safer routes for kids to walk to school, better bike access for families, and improved walkability to neighborhood businesses—not only reduces the number of fatal and serious injury crashes but also helps deter crime by increasing activity and visibility in public spaces.

Safer Kids and Families

When youth are engaged and have access to opportunity, we see reduced involvement in crime long term. Toledo is investing in safe spaces for kids and teens to grow, learn, and thrive.

In 2024, more than 30,000 young people participated in over 100 structured activities funded by grants from the Parks and Youth Services Department. These programs will continue in 2025 with leadership from our Youth Services Commissioner and a newly added Educational Engagement and Workforce Development Commissioner.

Efforts to address lead exposure risks were bolstered by a $3.4M state grant, making 27 homes safer for children. The city also completed an inventory of privately-owned lead lines and is on track to eliminate them all by 2026. Lead has detrimental effects on development, learning outcomes, and increases someone’s risk of being involved in crime. In 2025, we’ll continue efforts to create lead safe housing for tenants across the city.

This year, Toledo will celebrate the grand opening of the new Wayman Palmer YMCA, supported by a $17 million city investment, providing a state-of-the-art community space for youth and families. Ongoing investments in parks and community centers will create more spaces where kids and their families can gather.

The Save Our Community program expanded into four additional schools in 2023-2024, establishing deeper connections with students at the highest risk of experiencing violence. Two federal grants support MONSE's efforts to expand and strengthen Toledo’s community violence prevention ecosystem and bolster existing supports for those impacted by gun violence. With a combined case load of 76 youth and young adults, staff are providing intentional support, teaching conflict resolution skills, and improving access to jobs, which all work to reduce risk of serious violence.

Rewire CBT has trained 30 community members from partner organizations including Lucas Metropolitan Housing, the Zepf Center, Sisters 4 Unity, Open Arms Transformational Living, Go Time Grynd, and the Hoodstock Foundation. This training equips staff that work with high-risk youth with the skills to support young people healing from trauma while preventing potential conflict. We’re working to have 75 staff trained in the program and an additional 10 trained as trainers in the coming years.

Peace in Motion: Toledo’s Path to Community Safety

Investing in safe neighborhoods is essential for Toledo’s future. The Peace in Motion plan connects efforts across city departments, community organizations, and individuals to present a cohesive strategy for change. Its focus on violence intervention, access to opportunity, and neighborhood investment is reflected in the work happening across the city today.

These investments don’t just improve quality of life—they foster pride, resilience, and hope in every Toledo neighborhood.

Learn more about Peace in Motion and the recommendations already making an impact at toledo.oh.gov/peace.