Mayor Kapszukiewicz Announces Summer Safety Strategy

Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz gathered police, prosecutors, youth organizations, transit leaders, and community violence interveners this morning to launch a coordinated summer safety strategy — one built on the premise that keeping Toledo safe requires everyone at the table.

"As we've seen our crime stats continue to improve year after year, we know our approach is working," said Mayor Kapszukiewicz. "Today we want to highlight all of our partners and, in particular, all the ways they're going to bring positive opportunities to young people this summer."

Seventy summer program offerings span everything from urban farming to basketball to podcasting. City pools will open June 2, including a new splash pad at Jamie Farr Park, and free swim lessons will be offered in July. Forty concerts are scheduled in city parks — including Party in the Park and the Levitt BLOC Series. Movie nights, pickleball clinics, and Let's Get Moving walking events round out a full season of activity across every Toledo neighborhood.

"If we work together — families, neighbors, faith leaders, and local government — we can create a safer, more connected community for everyone," Councilman John Hobbs III said, echoing the Mayor's sentiments about collaboration. "Because safety doesn’t start with policy, it starts with people."

Toledo Police Chief Mike Troendle didn't shy away from the risks that come with summer. "Unfortunately, there is a correlation between the summer months and an increase in crime," he said. "We would prefer not to make a single arrest this summer. We would prefer not to have to respond to a single shooting," the Police Chief emphasized. "The Toledo Police Department will be out in full force to ensure our community is safe."

The city's approach to safety isn't limited to policing. Raymond Campos, Commissioner of Save Our Community, said it plainly: "Conflict is normal. Violence is not."

So far this year, Save Our Community has made 35 coordinated responses to gun violence incidents to interrupt retaliation, conducted 20 direct conflict interventions, and continues engagement through mentorship, restorative justice, case management, and workforce support. The organization is hosting summer outreach events, including a Ceasefire Event on July 2 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Grosbeak Picnic Shelter at Glass City Metropark, open to the entire community.

As of today, Toledo has recorded 7 homicides — a 20 percent decrease from this same point last year. Toledo has also recorded 7 traffic-related fatalities this year. The Mayor drew the parallel deliberately: two causes of death, equally tragic, equally preventable.

That parallel connects directly to Vision Zero, Toledo's commitment to eliminating all traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries by 2031. Traffic Management Commissioner Stephanie Bartlett reinforced the ask: follow the rules of the road, pay attention, be predictable, be visible, and always wear a helmet or seatbelt.

The event ended with remarks from many of the youth program partners funded by the City of Toledo, including TARTA, the Wayman Palmer YMCA, and the Arts Commission.

"For anyone still saying there's nothing to do in Toledo, that's simply not true," Mayor Kapszukiewicz closed. "Thank you again to all our partners who are making this not only an incredible summer for our young ones, but a safe one too."

Residents can find a full schedule of summer events and programs at toledo.oh.gov/summer.