December 6, 2019

Mayor Frank Jackson
601 Lakeside Ave
Cleveland, OH 44114

Subject: Support for Additionai Law Enforcement Presence on the Cuyahoga River

Dear Sir,

There has been a great deal of discussion at recent local Northeast Ohio area security
committee meetings where Federal, State, County and City representatives have voiced serious
concerns about on-water safety on the Cuyahoga River. In spite of a rapid growth in waterway
users ofail types on the Cuyahoga River, there has actually been a decline in law enforcement
south of the Norfolk Southern Railroad Bridge. On any given summer day, and especially
weekends, there are hundreds and sometimes thousands of citizens enjoying the river. This
includes paddleboarders, kayak and cancers, rowers, and power boaters. These recreational
vessels share the river with commercial cruise boats, tug and barges, and the 700-foot
commercial ships that deliver or move iron ore, stone, asphalt, cement, salt to local steel mills
and other customers along the banks of the Cuyahoga River and the Old River Channel. This
adds up to a recipe for disaster unless controlled and monitored by local law enforcement. An
ounce of prevention, much like a police officer stationed in a schooi zone, could save lives and
certainly protect all interested parties.

We understand and appreciate these competing demands for the limited law enforcement
resources, however we firmly believe this matter needs to be a priority. We respectfully request
your assistance in increasing waterborne and shore side law enforcement activity on and along
the Cuyahoga River. Not only is there a safety component to ensuring citizens enjoy responsibly,
there is also a security concern with large crowds confined to the narrow river and waterfront
area.

The Cuyahoga River has overlapping governmental law enforcement requirements. The US.
Coast Guard as a federal navigation channel, the City of Cleveland and State of Ohio as it lies
within city and state boundaries, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources as a designated
water trail. Recognizing the serious potential of a fatal accident, a non?profit organization,
PHASTAR, was formed in 2018 to assist in the protection of waterway users by assisting
commercial vessels through the Cuyahoga. Unfortunately the volunteer operators ofthe
corporation?s vessel have no law enforcement authority.

We ask that the City of Cleveland, State of Ohio, and US. Coast Guard supply additional law
enforcement assets to protect the Cuyahoga and the citizens that frequent the waterway for

commercial and recreational use. In addition to the below signatories, The Foundry and The
Cleveland Rowing Foundation have added their support to this vital request.


es . Weakley, Presrdent, Lake Carriers Assocration
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Jae Marinucci, President, Downtown Cleveland Alliance
Michelie L. Burke, President, Lake Erie Marine Trades Association
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Paul Ertei, Regional Vice President, Jacobs Entertainment
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Kenn Paprocki. Commander. Greater Cleveland Boating Association

Sam insalaco, Ohio Liaison Government and Partner Relations, United States Power Squadrons