East Cleveland councilwoman calls for FBI investigation after more indictments

EAST CLEVELAND, OH — An East Cleveland metropolis councilwoman known as for an FBI investigation into town’s police division following the indictments of two former law enforcement officials Friday.

Officers Alfonzo Cole and Willie Sims have been charged with robbing victims throughout visitors stops whereas the 2 have been on-duty and on patrol between July 2020 and July 2021 when the pair was first arrested.

Investigators stated the pair mixed to steal almost $15,000 in money, medicine and two weapons.

They have been fired this week after spending greater than a 12 months on unpaid administrative depart.

Friday’s indictments marked seven previous and present East Cleveland law enforcement officials hit with prison fees within the final three weeks, together with Police Chief Scott Gardner.

“It is exhausting to maintain monitor of all the allegations,” stated Metropolis Councilperson Patricia Blochowiak.

Blochowiak stated she’s heard about issues with East Cleveland’s police division since she moved to town.

“21 years of listening to about issues and now, lastly, in 2022 we’re getting indictments,” stated Blochowiak.

However critics of the division consider the indictments are just the start and are calling for extra accountability for what they name a tradition of unconstitutional policing.

East Cleveland residents name for police response examination after Labor Day a number of taking pictures

“I feel the time has come that everybody be held accountable,” stated activist Mariah Crenshaw.

Blochowiak believes that requires a full investigation of East Cleveland by the FBI.

She stated it is the one approach to resolve what is going on on inside a division that she stated is dropping public confidence.

“The mayor is aware of prosecutors, the mayor is aware of the police, the mayor is aware of he has these connections,” stated Blochowiak. “How can we count on him to be truthful and unbiased? We’d like exterior assist.”

To place the seven indictments into perspective, East Cleveland’s whole police division is just about 45 officers.

Mayor Brandon King has not responded to a request for touch upon this story.