Redefining Public Safety in Cleveland: What Mohammad Faraj Wants You to Know
In Cleveland’s Ward 7 and beyond, conversations about public safety are growing louder — but the solutions being offered often leave residents feeling unheard. Mohammad Faraj, a candidate for Cleveland City Council, is pushing for a new way to think about safety — one that starts before a crisis.
A frequently discussed topic throughout the new Ward 7 is that many residents simply do not feel safe. The source of fear varies from door-to-door though. Many have had their cars broken into, and many fear gun violence. But many also cite speeding cars and the fear of state violence from an increasingly hostile federal administration.
“What makes people feel unsafe? What priorities and commitments help us prevent crime, violence, and pain in the first place? These are the questions I’ve been engaging with the residents about,” says Mohammad.
“When you consider what helps foster public safety from this perspective,” Mohammad continues, “you then see all the potential solutions that are available, such as investing in affordable housing, ensuring pedestrian well-being, and helping to strengthen community through supported Block Clubs and active community organizing.”
Once elected to city council for Cleveland’s Ward 7, Mohammad hopes to help expand Cleveland’s understanding of what creates a safe community, as he believes that investing in the everyday lives of residents is what ultimately prevents crime.
Ensuring people have stable housing does, in fact, make us all safer. The ability to roam your block freely without being struck by a speeding car is an achievement that benefits all of us. And opportunities for neighbors to get to know each other recognizes that celebrating community ultimately builds safety.
“I’ve really appreciated the honest conversations I’ve had with active or retired Cleveland police officers who have shared their experiences when dealing with residents facing homelessness, hunger, and instability in general,” Mohammad shares. “Many of those serving the second district, which includes Ward 7, are rather vocal about the need to invest in crime prevention.”
Public safety – for all – is the goal. Ward 7 residents deserve a councilman that sees safety as a fundamental right focused on prevention, and that councilman is Mohammad Faraj.
Public Safety and the 2025 Cleveland Election
The upcoming Cleveland City Council election in Ward 7 gives voters a chance to rethink what safety means in their own lives. Mohammad wants to bring a public safety strategy to City Hall that includes everyone — renters, seniors, families, and neighbors who feel forgotten.
For voters looking at issues like safety, policing, and community stability, Mohammad’s campaign offers a different kind of leadership: one rooted in prevention, not just punishment.