"Only in Tremont would you get a turnout like this and that says a lot about this neighborhood," he said. But Commander Sulzer also told the crowd never to turn and run from an assailant as Chiplis did when shot in the back.

Tremont residents meet to plan, fight crime, boost neighborhood safety

Published: Monday, June 21, 2010, 10:32 PM     Updated: Tuesday, June 22, 2010, 9:59 AM

Michael Scott, The Plain Dealer
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View full sizeScott Shaw, The Plain DealerTremont residents brainstorm at a neighborhood safety meeting in Cleveland on June 21, 2010.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The lights of Tremont shined even brighter Monday.

Tremont's people and the politicians -- and the police charged with keeping the eclectic and popular Cleveland neighborhood safe -- gathered to rally and brainstorm for several hours in a church hall in response to the recent shooting of a well-known artist.

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They also heard that one of their own was literally lighting up the night for them.

Henry Senyak, chairman of the Tremont West Development Corp.'s economic development committee, has been pushing the city and Cleveland Public Power to replace street lights in the near West Side neighborhood.

Senyak said hundreds of streetlights remained out at dozens of locations before this past weekend, but that "following a blitz on Saturday" by CPP crews, that number had been reduced by more than half.

"Be vocal, be vigilant," Senyak told a crowd of more than 250 people at OLA/St. Joseph Center church hall at West 14th Street and Kenilworth Avenue. "We're all neighbors in Tremont and it's important that we stick together."

Councilman Joe Cimperman, who called the meeting along with the Tremont West Development Corporation, said people like Senyak make the neighborhood special.

"We're Tremont and we fight back," Cimperman said. "If one guy can single-handedly get 2,000 some lights turned back on, what can each of us do? Tremont always succeeds when it succeeds together."

Fighting back was on the minds of many people Monday who are friends, neighbors or at least knew the reputation of Jeff Chiplis, an artist who crafts exotic sculptures with multicolored neon tubes. He was shot in the back early in the morning of June 12 after two men tried to rob him on the West Third Street hill near Literary Road.

Chiplis, 58, considered one of the pioneers in revitalizing Tremont, is recovering and could return home this week, friends said at the meeting. They have also set up the Jeff Chiplis Neon Heart Fund at any local Fifth Third Bank.

Cleveland police said two suspects in the shooting are still at large.

Residents vowed to be more vigilant -- even in a neighborhood where the overall crime rate is about 25 percent lower than the city of Cleveland overall, according to a 2009 survey of crime statistics by The Plain Dealer.

The crowd gave 2nd District Police Commander Keith Sulzer rousing applause after his presentation when he complimented the community for its stand against crime.

"Only in Tremont would you get a turnout like this and that says a lot about this neighborhood," he said. But Sulzer also told the crowd never to turn and run from an assailant as Chiplis did when shot in the back.

Nearly every speaker and every citizen also agreed on one thing -- the need to look out for each other.

"As The Plain Dealer editorial said, 'See things, say things,' " said Dean Malaker, co-chair of the development corporation's safety committee with Senyak. "Call. Attend meetings. Let the police and your neighbors know if there are children out after curfew. Notice suspicious activity."

People also broke into small groups at two dozen tables to brainstorm on ways to address their concerns and fears.

Many ideas centered on increasing police patrols and adding more street lighting Nearly every group joined a chorus of "look out for each other."

"And another thing that not many people think of -- get a dog," said Georgiann Franko. "And don't just rely on Cleveland Public Power to fix their lights. Try putting on your own porch light. Everyone needs to do their part."

VIDEO: Residents at the meeting brainstorming ideas to fight crime in Tremont neighborhood.

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/06/tremont_community_gathers_to_d.html

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