Ohio cities are speaking out after recent comments made by Vice President JD Vance painted downtown areas as dangerous hotbeds of lawlessness. Canton leaders quickly defended their city, with Mayor William Sherer describing the notion of a lawless downtown Canton as "baseless and statistically unfounded," according to News 5 Cleveland. The artistic director for the Downtown Canton Partnership's First Fridays, Jonathan Becker, echoed the sentiment, noting high turnout for the city events and questioning the VP's assessment.
During his visit to a local steel mill and in the midst of praising what he termed President Trump's "big beautiful bill," the Vice President asked the audience how many were deterred from dining in the downtown areas of Akron, Canton, and Columbus due to perceived negligence by local authorities, as reported by News 5 Cleveland. Despite these remarks, residents and visitors in Canton have expressed that they feel safe, with one even highlighting the immediacy with which any issues during events like the First Friday Nights festival have been handled, ironically illuminating the disconnect between Vance's statements and the lived experiences of the populace.
Akron, another city caught in the Vice President's critique, also refuted his claim of unchecked crime. Eddie Sutter, the owner of Eddie's Famous Cheesesteaks and Grille in downtown Akron, defended his city by saying that his community has been working hard and doesn't deserve such criticism, as told in an interview with WKYC. Data reviewed by WKYC Investigates indicated that violent crime in Akron has mostly been on the decline since 2023, with the exception of rape cases.
Similarly, in response, Columbus has highlighted its declining crime rates, citing Mayor Ginther's investments in public safety and downtown development. Deputy Chief of Staff Jennifer Fening detailed that the city is experiencing a 12-year low in homicides and felonious assaults, information corroborated by News 5 Cleveland's reportage. Meanwhile, Akron Mayor Shammas Malik extended an open invitation to the Vice President for a sit-down at any of the local downtown restaurants to discuss public safety in a constructive manner, reflecting a willingness to engage beyond the rhetoric of lawlessness. As these officials speak up, they challenge the narrative and defend the tireless efforts made to ensure their cities remain vibrant, safe spaces in the face of contrary political commentary.
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