Elyria, Ohio – More than 100 law enforcement professionals from over 20 agencies across Northern Ohio recently came together to participate in a significant regional public safety initiative. This effort was part of the annual gathering of the Northern Ohio Violent Crime Consortium (NOVCC), hosted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) for the Northern District of Ohio. The event focused on combating violent crime, sharing data-driven solutions, and advancing effective law enforcement practices in an ever-evolving landscape.
The Northern District of Ohio, covering 40 counties and home to more than 5.7 million residents, plays a critical role in promoting safety across cities both large and small. The NOVCC was originally established in 2007 through a Department of Justice grant aimed at reducing violent crime in eight targeted cities: Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Elyria, Lorain, Mansfield, Toledo, and Youngstown.
Focusing on Technology, Data, and Collaboration
At this year’s event, Acting U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik emphasized the Consortium’s mission and ongoing relevance. “The Consortium’s purpose is to prevent and reduce violent crime through the use of data-driven and evidence-based technologies,” said Skutnik. “NOVCC enhances our member agencies through skills training on accepted best practices and emerging technologies.”
Attendees explored a variety of timely topics, including modern policing in the digital age, the value of inter-agency data sharing, and strategies for reducing violent crime through evidence-based practices. The gathering featured expert speakers from Fordham University, the Johns Hopkins University Center for Gun Violence Solutions, and police departments in Blacksburg, Virginia and Brookhaven, Georgia. Industry experts from Research Innovations, Inc. also contributed their insights.
A Broad Coalition of Public Safety Leaders
A diverse group of local, state, federal, and nonprofit organizations participated in this year’s event, showcasing the strength of regional cooperation. Among the law enforcement agencies represented were:
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Akron, Cleveland, Toledo, and Youngstown Police Departments
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Cuyahoga County Sheriff, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
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Federal agencies, including ATF-Cleveland, FBI-Cleveland, and the U.S. Marshals Service
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Nonprofit partner Partnership for a Safer Cleveland
The Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services and University of Akron Police Department were also part of the collaborative network, alongside numerous suburban and municipal police departments such as Westlake, Maple Heights, Put-in-Bay, and Avon.
This wide-ranging participation highlights the importance of regional unity in addressing complex challenges like violent crime. With continued support from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and guidance from national and academic leaders, NOVCC aims to serve as a model for data-informed crime reduction strategies across the state and beyond.
