Ohio City Incorporated to offer matching funds for neighborhood residents' home safety upgrades

By Leila Atassi

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Residents in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood interested in improving the security of their homes with new doors, windows or lighting now will have a little help in making those upgrades.

Ohio City Incorporated, the neighborhood’s community development corporation, is offering a dollar-for-dollar match, up to $250, on safety improvements identified during a safety audit by a Cleveland police officer.

Kerry McCormack, director of community affairs for Ohio City Inc., said Wednesday that the program was born from an extensive community survey and focus group research that identified neighborhood safety as one of the top priorities of Ohio City residents. The CDC, which works closely with police to keep residents informed of criminal activity in the neighborhood, set out to determine what the organization could do to help prevent crime.

“It’s always a question of, ‘What role can we play?’” McCormack said. “If you think about the cost of policing, this program is a great investment. Not only does it bring peace of mind to residents, but it prevents break-ins and other incidents.”

Among the qualifying safety improvements are door and window upgrades, new locks, lighting in and around the house and garage door repairs.

Participants, after receiving the results of their safety audits, purchase the products of their choice and submit receipts to Ohio City Inc. for reimbursement of half the cost, up to $250.

The safety audit is free. Call McCormack at Ohio City Inc. at 216-781-3222, ext. 103 to schedule an appointment with a police officer.