A recent shooting marked the latest in a series of violent incidents at Trilby Park since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to community leaders.
TOLEDO, Ohio — Community advocates and local leaders in west Toledo are calling for stronger youth crime prevention measures following a shooting at Trilby Park that sent dozens fleeing last Thursday.
Trilby Park is in a neighborhood bounded by Secor Road, West Alexis Road, West Laskey Road, and Tremainsville Road.
The April 17th shooting marked the latest in a series of violent incidents at the park since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to community leader Mike Roby and City Councilwoman Cerssandra McPherson.
Both say the violence has become too frequent and are urging immediate action.
“This could have been a much more tragic situation,” said Roby. “We need to find something more for these kids to do. We need to get people involved with these kids after the shooting. And I’m hoping that, you know, we can find out who the shooters were.”
McPherson emphasizes that prevention efforts must start at home, and calls on parents to take a more active role.
“So parents, keep your eyes out. Be on the watch. Be on the lookout,” McPherson said. “Kids, students, if you see something — I’m sorry. ‘Snitches get stitches’? No, we got to get rid of that. Snitches get us to know who’s doing this.”
To improve safety, the park board recently funded a new security camera system to address blind spots at Trilby Park, with installation expected within the next two weeks.
City leaders are also considering expanded patrols, additional youth outreach programs, and more security measures. McPherson noted these would build on existing efforts through organizations like the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement or MONSE, which works with the city’s violence interrupters to reduce gun violence.
“It’s a continuation of what’s being done,” McPherson said. “We have MONSE working with the interrupters, and we’re working diligently with the community to reduce gun violence. So we have programs that are in progress.”
Roby stressed that true change will require community involvement.
“We need to just watch the park as a community,” he said. “If something’s going on, we need to see something, say something, definitely.”
Community forums are scheduled in the coming weeks for those interested in getting involved. Roby also holds regular meetings at Trilby Park on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Click here for more information on the city’s neighborhood associations.
This article was published by Dominique O’Neill on 2025-04-26 23:27:00
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