Residents of Cleveland’s Buckeye neighborhood are calling for urgent action after a string of violent incidents—including a deadly shooting at a car meet-up—left three people dead over the weekend. Dozens gathered Tuesday evening at Council President Blaine Griffin’s monthly Ward 6 community meeting to voice frustration and demand solutions.
“How many people have to die before anything is done?” one attendee asked during the tense meeting. “People’s lives are at stake.”
The recent violence, including the fatal shooting at the Shoppes at Buckeye, has reignited concerns about public safety, particularly in an area that has long struggled with crime and disinvestment. Neighbors called for stronger intervention, including traffic-calming measures and increased police presence, as tools to curb reckless behavior and violence.
“We have to stop making excuses and start solving things,” said another resident, echoing the community’s growing impatience.
Council President Griffin acknowledged the community’s pain and assured attendees that he and city officials are actively working to bring resources and preventative strategies to the neighborhood.
“This isn’t just about me being a councilperson,” Griffin said. “This is about caring for our neighborhood and improving lives. I hear your concerns, and I share them.”
He acknowledged that this is a difficult period for the Buckeye area but emphasized that it’s also a time of investment and opportunity.
“There’s too much potential here. We can’t let one incident—or even several—define our neighborhood,” Griffin said.
Residents also raised fears about what the ongoing violence could mean for the area’s economic future. Concerns were heightened when the KeyBank branch at the Shoppes at Buckeye was seen with a boarded-up window following the weekend’s shooting. It’s unclear if the damage is directly related to the incident, but it stirred memories of similar struggles faced by another local bank.
Last year, Huntington Bank temporarily closed its Buckeye Road branch due to security concerns. It reopened in October only after intense community pressure and negotiation, with many residents seeing it as a symbol of hope and financial stability.
“We fought hard to keep Huntington open. If we lose another bank, it would be devastating,” said Bob Render, a longtime Buckeye resident. “If they close this place down, we’re all going to be disenfranchised.”
In response to inquiries, KeyBank released a brief statement: “Our thoughts are with those impacted by the incident that took place this past weekend in Cleveland. We are committed to cooperating fully with police as they investigate. Any questions related to this incident should be directed to the appropriate authorities.”
Despite the trauma and uncertainty, residents say they’re committed to rebuilding a safer community—but they need the city’s help to do it.
“We want to be proud of where we live,” one neighbor said. “But right now, we’re scared.”