Named after civic leader and lifelong advocate of Cleveland, the Ruth Ratner Miller Lifetime Achievement Award is typically given to an individual who has advanced and enhanced the downtown community. This year, the award was presented to Downtown Cleveland Alliance (DCA)’s Clean and Safe Ambassadors, who, since 2006, have worked diligently to keep downtown safe and clean for residents, tourists and visitors.
“The Ruth Ratner Miller Award is always an incredible event for Downtown Cleveland,” says Michael Deemer, executive vice president of business development for DCA. “She dedicated so much of her life to not only improving the city, but also downtown in particular. It’s only fitting that we recognize the efforts of our Clean and Safe Ambassadors, who have done so much for downtown.”
“One of the underpinnings of the decision to establish the alliance in 2006 was to get a consensus from property owners that they would self-assess themselves for the services,” says Joe Marinucci, president and CEO of DCA. “The centerpiece of those services was our Clean and Safe Ambassadors. When you think back to 2006, Downtown Cleveland wasn’t perceived as being clean, nor was it perceived as being safe.”
The Clean and Safe Ambassadors changed all of that.
“They are also like a concierge and often serve as the eyes and ears of the Cleveland Police Department,” Marinucci adds. “If I may use a sports analogy, they became the blocking and tackling that was necessary for us to attract new investment to downtown.”
Downtown property owners have responded, agreeing to fund the Safe and Clean Ambassadors for another five years.
Hard at work seven days a week from 7 a.m. to midnight, DCA’s Clean and Safe Ambassadors provide a range of hospitality services in Downtown Cleveland. They are trained to help provide information on hotels, restaurants, attractions, events, conventions and parking locations and costs. Decked out in gold and blue attiure, the ambassadors are also knowledgeable about local ordinances that affect people’s quality of life and can be in contact with law enforcement if a situation requires action.
During the past year, Clean and Safety Ambassadors removed more than 669,000 pounds of trash from downtown streets. They removed 2,760 gum spots and 3,024 graffiti tags as well. Ambassadors also performed 3,897 security checks, offered 663 safety escorts and resolved 1,248 panhandling incidents. They also patrolled 10,755 bicycle miles.
In 2020, DCA hired a full-time outreach specialist who works with the ambassadors to address the needs of those experiencing homelessness. The team assists with food, shelter and clothing and lends an ear to listen to individuals’ concerns and needs. The goal is to connect these individuals with permanent housing and gainful employment.
This work is a collaboration with Medworks, Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless, Frontline Services, local churches, Cosgrove Center, St. Vincent Charity Hospital and Cleveland Police Department. DCA added a second full-time outreach worker in early 2021 for additional coverage in the evenings and is now able to deploy outreach workers seven days a week to assist those in need.