Some Cuyahoga County corrections officers concerned after recent car break-ins

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - Some Cuyahoga County jail corrections officers are expressing concern after recent car break-ins in the Huntington Park garage across the street from the Justice Center.

Adam Chaloupka, an attorney with the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, represents the corrections officers.

"About over the last two or three weeks it seems like the car thefts and the car break-ins have had a major uptick in and around the Justice Center, in particular the Huntington parking garage where most of our corrections officers park," Chaloupka said.

He said the corrections officers primarily use this parking garage, which is owned by the county, when they come to work.

The main concern is safety.

"A lot of them come in at two in the morning to work a reverse double, they work nights, or they get out at 6am or they're coming in at night," Chaloupka said. "It's getting darker now, it's getting colder now, we care about their safety first and foremost."

Chaloupka said these break-ins could lead to more serious crime since guns have also been stolen.

"I know of at least two to three guns being stolen from cars of our corrections officers," Chaloupka said.

Chaloupka said a possible solution is re-evaluating where these employees park.

"The Huntington garage sits right below the jail," Chaloupka said. "The inmates see where the COs go."

The safety and security of our employees is a top priority for Cuyahoga County. The Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Department conducts regular patrols of County properties. The Sheriff's Department Detective Bureau is actively investigating multiple incidents and asks that anyone with information contact investigators at 216-443-6130. Anonymous information can be provided through Crimestoppers by calling or texting 216-25-CRIME.