via WKYC.com
“CLEVELAND — The heartbreaking shooting deaths of 5-year-old Ramon Burnett and now 3-year-old Major Howard are sparking cries for police and City Hall to take dramatic action to prevent such incidents.
“Right now in the City of Cleveland, it’s raining blood and it’s our babies whose lives are at stake,” says Cleveland Councilman Zach Reed.
Reed is proposing taking $1 million from the city’s $19 million “rainy day” fund that exists for emergency use.
Cleveland Police union boss Steve Loomis supports Reed’s proposal. Loomis says the money could buy almost 2,500 overtime shifts to get police in neighborhoods where shootings are most likely.
Loomis says “any opportunity we have to put more officers on the street is good for everybody… It plays well into our efforts for community policing.”
“We know where the problems are. We know what neighborhoods and we know what communities are most;y affected by gun violence,” Reed said.
Mayor Frank Jackson and Police Chief Calvin Williams held a press conference after Ramon’s death and are holding one late Wednesday afternoon to discuss Major’s death.”
