By Erik Jones, Editor
LORAIN, OH — A public comment at Monday night’s City Council meeting captured what many in the community are feeling but haven’t always said aloud: “Can we do something about the crime?”
The speaker, Jane Morales, a Lorain resident, took to the microphone with urgency and emotion, describing what she called “insane” levels of crime affecting her neighborhood and others across the city. Living near Meister Road, Morales said she hears or sees incidents almost every night—and she’s not alone.
“It’s out of control,” she told council members. “Every night, something happens. I don’t care—anything, anything at all—can we just do something?”
Her comments echoed a growing concern among Lorain residents about rising reports of violence, property crime, and quality-of-life issues. Morales also called out what she described as inappropriate online behavior from the city’s police leadership, claiming that the Chief of Police had spent time “arguing with residents on Facebook” instead of addressing community concerns directly.
“Could somebody maybe give him a little talking?” she said. “Come on.”
A Divided Response
While Morales’ comments were blunt, they clearly resonated. But reactions in the chamber also revealed the complex tension between community frustration and support for law enforcement.
Immediately following her remarks, Councilwoman Mary Springowski rose to offer a strong defense of the Lorain Police Department.
“We have an excellent Chief of Police, along with a well-trained and dedicated staff—from top to bottom,” she said. “In my decades of living in this city, I can honestly say this is one of the best departments we’ve ever had.”
Springowski acknowledged the city isn’t immune to national trends but stressed that crime isn’t unique to Lorain, and that officers continue to put their lives on the line daily for the public.
Other council members later expressed appreciation for the department’s efforts but also agreed that public concerns—especially those voiced by residents like Morales—should not be dismissed.
Calls for a Town Hall
Among the suggestions Morales floated was the idea of hosting a town hall meeting focused entirely on crime and public safety. The goal? To give citizens a chance to speak openly, ask questions, and work with city leaders on solutions.
Though no formal plans were announced during the meeting, the idea received murmurs of support from some council members, and it may emerge as a next step in the ongoing conversation about safety in Lorain.
The Bigger Picture
Lorain, like many American cities, is grappling with how to balance public safety concerns with transparency, communication, and community trust. While the city is seeing economic growth and new business development, residents like Morales are asking a simple but critical question:
“We talk about everything else—but can we talk about this?”
The answer, at least for now, remains to be seen.
Have you experienced rising crime in your neighborhood? Would you attend a community town hall about public safety?
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I want to remain anonymous. Though Lorain Police Auxiliary should put auxiliary officers through county Auxiliary program to know what to do. Lorain PD Auxiliary should look into laws so that auxiliary officers can save the city money while being able to do more such as being able to carry guns if the law permits it. With extensive training Lorain PD Auxiliary would be able to assist in much more calls such as missing persons, civil calls, assist/listen to a police officer during a disturbance check and be there to support the officer. As far as I know, Police Auxiliary are able to carry a gun ONLY while in uniform & on duty.
I believe that if we don’t bridge the gap now between police and the residents, it is only going to get worse. It’s evident that there’s a disconnect and it’s evident the Lorain police are not friendly and approachable. I ask teens and kids multiple times if there’s an emergency what do you do, and more than I would like to even say, respond that they would go to police LAST! Lorain should not be proud of that. Lorain as a whole should be ashamed. But I pray it changes sooner than later. We will see.
My family and I would definitely attend a town hall to speak about crime in the community amongst other things. Such as road conditions.
That was actually Councilwoman Beth Henley who spoke in defense of the chief. Although I support her comments
I’m confused. Does Councilwoman Springowski represent the citizens of Lorain or the Police Pepartment? Sounds like she might be forgetting who keeps her in office and look into things before defending the Police Department immediately.
With all due respect to Ms. Morales, I live very near her and haven’t experienced what she has. Of course, that isn’t to say she is wrong; our experiences are just different. I know crime is rising all across the nation, but our police department cannot be all places at all times, and more officers costs more money, something no one in this city wants to fund. Kent criminals in jail also costs more money, again, something no one wants to pay for.
He and I don’t always agree, but I think we have one of the best chiefs in my lifetime and he runs a tight department, but people need to trust them before they will cooperate, and citizen cooperation is imperative when it comes to stopping and/or solving our crime problem.