TOLEDO, OH (TOLEDO NEWS NOW) - The Better Parks for Toledo Campaign is gathering at Savage Park in central Toledo Tuesday to call for the end to gun violence in the city and to promote Issue 5.
Attending the Savage Park event are Toledo police officers, firefighters and city council members.
The issue, which is on the November ballot, will create a dedicated recreation fund in the city. Campaign supporters believe increased recreational and employment opportunities for youth will significantly decrease violence in the city.
View all Lucas County issues on the November ballot.
"Comprehensive recreational opportunities and jobs for our young people will help turn this city around," said Dr. Ruthie Kucharewski from the University of Toledo. "We either pay for recreational opportunities now or we will pay later."
Dr. Kucharewski was part of a comprehensive committee that recommended the ballot issue for Toledo earlier this year.
Dan Wagner of the Toledo Police Patrolmen's Association thinks that the addition of a dedicated recreation fund will allow the City to use its resources to put more police on the streets. "This is exactly the support we need to help fight rise of gun violence in Toledo. It will free up money in the City's general fund to hire more police officers, and help support positive options for our youth," Wagner said.
Savage Park is located at 650 Nebraska Ave. The event begins at 10:30 a.m.
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