East Cleveland is increasing security and requiring some businesses to close early as the city prepares for the annual Shaw High School reunion weekend.
Thousands of people are expected to gather for reunion activities from September 3 through September 6. City officials are bringing in additional law enforcement personnel to help East Cleveland police manage the large crowds.
Bars and restaurants along Euclid Avenue are scheduled to close at 8 p.m. during the reunion period. The temporary restrictions are part of a broader safety plan for the weekend.
The Shaw reunion is a major annual gathering for alumni and the East Cleveland community. Events traditionally draw former students, families and visitors back to the city for several days of activities.
WKYC reported that city leaders were preparing heightened security measures ahead of the 2026 gathering. The plan follows concerns about maintaining public safety when large crowds gather in concentrated areas.
East Cleveland Mayor Lateek Shabazz said law enforcement assistance would come from outside the city as officials prepare for the event. The city has been coordinating staffing and business restrictions before the first reunion activities begin.
The early closing requirement applies to bars and restaurants along the Euclid Avenue corridor during the September 3-6 period. Other details of individual reunion events and schedules are being handled separately by organizers.
The additional police presence is intended to cover areas where reunion crowds are expected and to provide East Cleveland officers with support throughout the weekend.
Shaw High School has a long history in East Cleveland, and its reunion has become one of the city’s most visible community gatherings.
Officials are asking residents, businesses and visitors to be aware of the temporary restrictions and increased law enforcement presence as reunion events take place across the city.
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