Inside Mayfield Heights’ Plan for a Safer, Stronger Community

When the new mayor of Mayfield Heights took office, she brought with her a clear, focused vision built on three core pillars: communication, safety and infrastructure. Working alongside department heads, she ensures these pillars guide daily operations, policy and resource allocation. This strategic alignment enhances residents’ quality of life, ensuring the city remains safe, maintained and connected.

“While these pillars matter in every community, what sets Mayfield Heights apart is the level of importance we place on them and the focus we bring to improving them,” says Mayor Diane Snider. “We are very intentional about making safety, infrastructure and communication a priority in how we plan, invest and serve. That commitment is what helps enhance the overall experience for our residents and keeps our community moving forward.”

Communication 

A strong community connection is the foundation of good government. Driven by a mayor who prioritizes personal engagement, Mayfield Heights is redefining how it connects with residents and businesses.

“We’re actively looking at new ways to connect, while also strengthening the channels we already have in place,” Mayor Snider says. “Our goal is simple: make sure every resident can easily stay informed and feel connected to what’s happening in Mayfield Heights.”

To better serve residents with more frequency and accessible updates, the city expanded the Communications Department and launched several new initiatives. Residents can now stay informed via a monthly e-newsletter and “Friday 5” weekly briefs that deliver timely reminders and event details. The updated City Guide will also improve access to information, while the newly introduced MH Connect bi-annual newsletter provides comprehensive insights on department projects. 

“With the launch of our monthly e-newsletter and the weekly “Friday 5,” we’ve seen more residents staying informed, reaching out with questions and engaging with what’s happening across the city,” says Mayor Snider. “That kind of consistent connection makes a real difference.”

Additionally, the administration is expanding its social media presence — including dedicated pages for the police, fire and parks departments — with the goal to provide the public with quick, official answers to their questions and combat misinformation. 

Recognizing its robust senior population, MH Connect, the quarterly print newsletter,  was created for those lacking digital access. On top of that, the mayor is continuing the tradition of a citizen advisory board, giving residents a direct avenue to provide feedback and participate in decision-making. In total, the city uses seven communication modes, from YouTube and social media channels to digital signboards and print reports.

“When there’s communication and  engagement between the city,  residents  and businesses, trust is built,” says Tammy Clines, the city’s communications coordinator. “We’re here to serve the community, and we want to do the best we can to make sure our residents are connected and informed.”

Ultimately, the strategy focuses on community, sustainability and nurturing its multi-generational roots. Engaging young people early fosters a sense of belonging, making them more likely to return to live, work and raise families here.

“As parents, we got our kids involved,” says Clines, adding that her son, as well as the mayor’s children, grew up volunteering at city events. “It’s important to involve kids when they’re young so that, as they grow up, their identity is connected not just to living or going to school here, but to being an active part of the community. When they feel invested in the city, they see its success as their success, too.”

Safety 

Safety is the bedrock of a thriving community, and Mayfield Heights approaches this responsibility with proactive enforcement and deep community connection.

To ensure first responders have top-tier tools, the city makes targeted investments in its police, fire and EMS teams. An upcoming addition is a fire department ladder truck, arriving in 2027 or 2028, to strengthen long-term response. Technology also plays a crucial role. Supported by state grants, the city installed live-feed security cameras at busy intersections, expanded park camera coverage and added license plate readers.

“These efforts are part of a broader commitment to proactive safety measures, giving our first responders better tools while also helping to deter incidents and protect our residents,” says Mayor Snider.

Yet, officers balance this strong enforcement with good discretion and a commitment to helping neighbors. For example, the Community Operations Office mitigates quality-of-life concerns before they escalate. Property managers also work closely with the city to utilize ordinances that evict tenants who commit crimes at rental properties.

“By being proactive in our approach to policing the city, our officers immediately address violations of the law, which sends the message that Mayfield Heights does not tolerate lawlessness,” says Police Chief Anthony Mele. “Our officers do an outstanding job of balancing an aggressive approach to crime while using good discretion when a warning should be given for someone who simply made a mistake.”

The Police and Fire departments prioritize engagement through adult citizens academies, CATS Academy for teens, school resource officers and ALICE training for local businesses. Outreach initiatives like Safety Town, the DARE program and the Fill the Cruiser Food Drive also ensure officers remain approachable, trusted members of the community.

“I’m especially proud of the investments we’ve made in our safety forces and the strong foundation we’ve built to keep Mayfield Heights a safe and welcoming place to live,” Mayor Snider says.

The city’s service excellence is reflected in the Police Department’s CALEA certification and a remarkable 25-year retention rate with zero officers leaving for another agency. Residents feel this dedication daily. Recently, an officer went above and beyond for a young man whose car was buried by a snowstorm. When the resident asked to borrow a shovel to avoid being late for work, the responding officer completely dug the car out so the young man could make it on time.

“We care deeply about the city that we work for,” Mele says. “Many of our officers call Mayfield Heights their home. It’s not just a job for us. We have a great sense of pride in our city and work every day to ensure that this remains a city where you feel safe and can raise a family.” 

 Infrastructure 

Reliable infrastructure is the quiet engine keeping a city running efficiently. By advancing improvements focused on safer roads and modernized utilities, Mayfield Heights is addressing aging systems before they fail. Through careful planning, responsible funding and regional collaboration, the city executes a long-term vision for sustainable growth.

 “In the short term, these investments improve safety, reduce delays and make services more reliable — things residents notice right away,” Mayor Snider says. “Over the long term, they help us avoid costly emergency repairs, extend the life of our roads and utilities and support property values.”

Guided by resident feedback and condition assessments, the city is tackling big-ticket projects. On Mayfield Road, a $2.4 million signalization line will upgrade the traffic signal network, improving flow and reducing delays. The city also is planning major underground work that will significantly reduce basement backup risks and remove failing or outdated infrastructure. On Marnell Avenue, sanitary sewer and water lines are being replaced, while a $7.7 million investment on Washington Boulevard will separate outdated storm and sanitary systems.

Roadway resurfacing and pavement preservation, which will provide smoother driving surfaces and reduce long-term maintenance costs, are also top priorities. When investing in a road, the city addresses underground repairs simultaneously so the fixes last decades. 

“Although construction can be temporarily inconvenient, these upgrades are essential to keep Mayfield Heights safe, strong and well-positioned for the future,” says Nick Fini, city engineer.

Through strategic partnerships, like collaborating with neighboring Mayfield Village to repair Ridgeberry Boulevard, the city maximizes value for taxpayers. Additionally, many of these projects are supported by external grants and cost-sharing agreements with agencies like NEORSD, Cuyahoga County and the Cleveland Water Department.

“Projects are prioritized based on condition assessments, service history, safety needs and opportunities to leverage outside funding,” says Fini, adding that he wants residents to know the city is being proactive, fiscally responsible and future-focused. “By planning ahead, we’re ensuring that improvements are completed efficiently and with long-term value in mind.”

Following the successful launch of the new aquatic center last year, the city recently updated the tennis courts with new fencing and windscreens and is planning further enhancements, including a walking path in the main park.

“When residents think of infrastructure, it could be sidewalks, aging buildings, roadways, sewers, etc.,” says Chuck Brunello, assistant service director. “There’s a lot of different things that can fall into that scope. I want residents to know that we hear them and understand their concerns and will always try to do our best to address their needs and requests efficiently.

“Investing when we can will only help improve our city’s infrastructure in the long run,” Brunello notes, adding that the longer the city waits to address certain issues, the worse and more expensive they can become. “At the end of the day, people live here and move here for a reason, and we need to make sure we uphold their expectations.”