Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, who made history in 2022 as the city’s youngest Black mayor, is being credited with reducing Cleveland’s homicide rate by nearly half. His strategy combines community programs, technology upgrades, and stronger police accountability.
Bibb, now 38 years old, says his leadership is shaped by personal experiences. “I’ve seen what works really well and what doesn’t,” Bibb told BET. “From losing my cousin to gun violence to watching my mom navigate job insecurity, my leadership is informed by what I’ve lived.”
Youth engagement is one of his top priorities. This summer, more than 10,000 young residents took part in after-school and summer programs aimed at keeping kids safe and supported. His administration also partnered with the Cleveland Foundation to create a $10 million neighborhood safety fund, which supports mentoring programs, sports clubs, and violence prevention initiatives.
Since Bibb took office, the city’s homicide rate has fallen by more than 46%, with summer homicides down nearly 30% from the previous year. He believes public safety works best when government, communities, and local organizations collaborate.
Bibb has also focused on modernizing City Hall. When he arrived, many departments relied on outdated systems. Today, all city employees use Microsoft 365 and DocuSign, speeding up contract processing and improving internal communication.
His policing strategy centers on building community trust. The city now conducts neighborhood safety walks that bring together police, housing, and public works staff to address issues in real time. Under his leadership, use-of-force incidents and citizen complaints against Cleveland police have both decreased.
Beyond public safety, Bibb is leading major development projects. These include a $2 billion airport renovation, a $100 million housing fund, and the redevelopment of 1,000 acres into job sites. The city is also pursuing a $5 billion plan to connect two waterfronts and expand housing through modular home construction.
Bibb’s long-term vision is to make Cleveland a first-choice destination for both residents and businesses. “This is the Cleveland era,” he says. “We’re showing the nation what innovation looks like.”
