Cleveland Mayoral Candidate Outlines Public Safety Plan

The man who has received national attention for his Shaker Square restaurant is entering the Cleveland mayoral race, and public safety will be his top priority.  Brandon Chrostowski founded Edwin’s Leadership and Restaurant Institute to train formerly incarcerated men and women in high-end food service. 

At his first press conference on Wednesday, Chrostowski stood on the steps of City Hall saying the current administration isn’t doing enough to address violence in the city, especially among young people.  He wants to put more money toward law enforcement in neighborhoods, give incentives to cops to live in communities where they work, encourage mentorship for youths, and focus on community policing.

“I also propose more cameras in high crime areas,” Chrostowski said.  “This is very important, but what’s more important is that we have police mini-stations with rapid response teams so that if something is seen, they can respond to it.  So when something goes down, they’re around.”

Chrostowski says he supports the city’s Consent Decree with the US Justice Department but says reform in the police department is too slow going. 

He also criticized Mayor Frank Jackson’s $2 million motorized dirt bike park planned for the Kinsman neighborhood.  Chrostowski says the way to reach young people is through businesses like Edwin’s that bring in revenue rather than depending on tax dollars.

“​It’s taking Edwin’s-like models throughout the neighborhoods and turning them into relatively break-even businesses that train in the services that you speak of – mechanics and whether it’s cooking or whether it’s phlebotomy.  It can be done.  There’s a model that already exists.  I created it.  That’s what I propose for half the price and it’s sustainable.  I don’t see the dirt giving back.”

He says Edwin’s operates on a $1.3 million annual budget and trains 100 people a year.