SITE OVERVIEW ♦ YOUNGSTOWN | OHIO
Target Area: Southside (partial) • Population: 9,400
Fiscal Agent: Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation
Research Partner: Youngstown State University Economic Development Initiative and the Department of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences
Crime Concerns: Homicides, aggravated assaults, robbery, burglary, and other violent crimes
BCJI Funding Year: 2015 Planning | 2017 Implementation
Neighborhood Profile
The BCJI target area is located on the south side of Youngstown and includes two main corridors - South Avenue and Market Street - that connect downtown Youngstown and Boardman Township to the south. Between the years 2000 to 2013, the target area experienced a population decline and is down approximately 30 percent since 2000. During that same period, the community experienced growth in both its African American and Hispanic populations (up 55 percent and 10 percent respectively). In 2013, 28 percent of all residential units were vacant which represents a 50 percent increase from 2000. The community also has one of the highest poverty rates in the nation with approximately 36 percent of residents living below poverty in 2013.
The target area continues to be a crime hot spot despite an overall decrease in crime in Youngstown as a whole in recent years. In terms of the community’s total land area and population, it is relatively small compared to Youngstown, however it accounts for 23 percent of the city’s homicides, 29 percent of aggravated assaults, 26 percent of robberies, and 22 percent of burglaries.
Planning Process
The BCJI South Avenue Revitalization Project has built upon initiatives already underway in the community to improve conditions along the South Avenue corridor. BCJI partners developed a comprehensive plan to reduce crime and address blighted properties through a community-oriented approach, including identifying six currently existing, chronic crime hot spots.
The working group began regular and frequent data exchanges between the Youngstown Police Department and the research partner Youngstown State University to identify crime patterns, trends, and hotspots in the target area, using crime data, resident input, property surveys and more. An economic development consultant created a market analysis of the corridor to develop strategies for neighborhood improvement. Community members were asked to provide feedback via door-to-door canvassers and presentations to block watch groups, neighborhood organizations, cross-sector team representatives and the general public.
Residents identified break-ins, robberies, gun violence, drugs and crime in general as the greatest neighborhood issues. Research showed that although both the city and the target area are experiencing a long-term decline in Part 1 crime rates, the overall crime rate of the target area is 200 percent higher than the non-target area and the violent crime rate is more than 250 percent higher. After crime, housing and property issues related to blight and abandonment were the second most-commonly mentioned concerns, and residents routinely linked crime with a lack of opportunity, particularly for youth. Through interviews with law enforcement, officers mentioned inter-generational poverty and unemployment.
Implementation Strategies
The Youngstown project was awarded a BCJI implementation only grant in the fall of 2017 from the Bureau of Justice Assistance. Implementation activities are grouped into four primary strategies, each of which is aligned to the goals of crime reduction, neighborhood improvement and increasing community efficacy.
The small business safety initiative trains employees and managers in place management and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) assessments and provide grants to property owners, as well as deterrence of repeat offenders, increased communication between property owners and YPD, and proactive police patrols.
The residential property safety initiative includes targeted community education, grants to homeowners for safety upgrades, landlord engagement and incentives to practice sound management practices. The team is increasing lighting, police patrols, enforcement of the city’s rental property registration program, and targeted code enforcement of nuisance properties.
The community empowerment initiative creates new neighborhood groups and engages residents through block parties, volunteer events and improvement projects. The program distributes resource guides, supports individuals returning from incarceration, and offers opportunities for youth and young adults through activities, sports leagues, job training and job opportunities.
The neighborhood revitalization initiative works to create a Clean and Green Team for vacant properties, demolish blighted properties, board up and secure vacant properties and maintain vacant lots. It also works to repair local infrastructure and address gaps in retail, particularly related to providing healthy food options.
Other Key Partners
City of Youngstown, Youngstown City Health District, City of Youngstown Litter Control, City of Youngstown Code Enforcement, Youngtown Police Department, City of Youngstown Parks and Recreation Department, City of Youngstown Community Planning and Economic Development, Alliance for Congregational Transformation Influencing Our Neighborhoods (ACTION), Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority (YMHA), Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation (YNDC), Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaboration (MVOC), South Avenue Area Neighborhood Development Initiative (SAANDI), Youngstown City Council, Ursuline Sisters, Youngstown City Schools, Mahoning Valley Violent Crimes Task Force, Community Initiative to Reduce Violence (CIRV), Mahoning Columbian Training Association (MCTA), Cardinal Mooney High School, Boys and Girls Club, North East Ohio FBI, Community Corrections Association (CCA), Meridian Community Care (MCC), and United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley
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