Latest news with #AftabPureval
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
'Unacceptable rise in crime' across downtown neighborhoods prompts city leaders to respond
Drones, a roving task force and a new police recruiting class are just a few of the initiatives Cincinnati city leaders announced to combat what Mayor Aftab Pureval called an "unacceptable rise in crime." Pureval, Police Chief Teresa Theetge and other city leaders acknowledged the unease over crime among Cincinnati residents, particularly in neighborhoods in the urban core, during a news conference June 24. The recent killing of Over-the-Rhine gym owner Patrick Heringer and a spate of shootings have left citizens on edge. "Too many residents are becoming victims right now," Pureval said. "Too many neighbors are concerned about the safety of their streets." The latest crime data provided by the city shows an uptick in crime of nearly all types citywide when compared with data from this time last year, particularly in Over-the-Rhine and Downtown: In Downtown and Over-the-Rhine, there have been nearly double the number of burglaries, breaking-and-entering incidents and thefts from cars so far this year. Citywide, there have been 34 reported homicides, compared to 30 at this time last year. More than a third of those killings have happened in the past month. In Over-the-Rhine alone, there have been five homicides this year, three of which have been in the past month. Reported shootings remain down across the city. Cincinnati police report 110 people have been shot so far this year, compared with 142 at this point in 2024. Theetge pointed toward repeat-offending, unsupervised teens and preteens as a significant source of the increase in crime but said there is no indication that it is gang or group-related activity. Theetge and other city leaders called for parents to be held accountable and said they are exploring options for how to do so but did not elaborate further. The chief also said in recent weeks she had sent extra officers to patrol the northern section of Over-the-Rhine, near Liberty Street, where Heringer was stabbed in his home, for community visibility. She has since pulled those officers but announced Tuesday that she is forming a "roving task force," consisting of approximately 30 officers responding to problem areas across the city. It's one of the ways city leaders explained how they're responding to the uptick in crime, in addition to using new technologies and leveraging partnerships with the community. Pureval, who is up for reelection this fall, has prioritized additional programs as a way to combat youth crime. Earlier this year, city leaders announced expanded youth events like skating on the riverfront, open pools and late-night activities at recreation centers to curb violence. Theetge said the department is trying out a drone program to use the small, remotely-piloted devices as first responders for certain calls for service and to help out in other situations. When a call comes in about a traffic jam, a fleeing vehicle or a wanted person, Theetge said a drone could be fired up within seconds to relay information to officers and possibly save them from making a trip out to a scene. A drone was used this weekend at The Banks when a crowd of kids became disorderly during the Juneteenth block party. The chief played footage of the drone hovering above the crowd with a spotlight and said commands were given through the drone for the crowd to disperse. The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office announced in January the county was launching a similar program, joining other major departments nationwide. By the end of 2025, Theetge said she hopes to have about 90% of the city covered by drones. Theetge said Cincinnati police are working with business owners across the city to get live-feed access to their surveillance cameras for investigations, as well as how to make it more difficult for criminals to commit crimes at their businesses. At no charge, Theetge said neighborhood liaison officers will give businesses and residents an assessment on how to make it harder for criminals to break in or deter them from doing so altogether. Some of those assessments will be done on parking lots and garages by the new roving task force, meeting with the owners to do safety assessments and then sharing those grades publicly. "If somebody's coming downtown for an event, a Reds game, a concert, dinner, you will be able to tell where is the safest place to park my car is," Theetge said. Recruiting new officers has been a long-running issue for Cincinnati police. Theetge said a newly approved "lateral police class" will help get staffing where it needs to be. Approved June 18 in next year's city budget are three new classes of at least 150 officers. In addition to two rookie classes of 100 officers, a lateral class of 50 officers will recruit people with experience from neighboring states such as Kentucky and Indiana or elsewhere. Then, Cincinnati police will compare the requirements from their state's police academy curriculum with Ohio's and fill in the gaps. The abbreviated police academy will still cover city of Cincinnati-specific protocols but in a shorter time frame than if they were starting from scratch, Theetge said. This story was updated to reflect the correct total number of officers added to the city's budget. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati leaders address crime wave with new drones, task force
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Here's the top priority for Cincinnati's new police task force, according to Chief Theetge
Proactive, targeted policing of crime hot spots across Cincinnati will be the priority of the police department's new "roving task force," Police Chief Teresa Theetge said in an interview with The Enquirer. A dedicated task force of 30 officers, equipped with the department's newest crime-fighting tools including remotely-piloted drones, will use data to address what Mayor Aftab Pureval described recently as an "unacceptable rise in crime" across the city, particularly in urban core neighborhoods. The majority of the department's roughly 950 officers are on uniformed patrol, responding to "calls for service" across Cincinnati based on 911 calls and other day-to-day occurrences. Given the perennial issue of being short police officers, Theetge said uniformed patrol can't keep up with groups of people committing crimes. That's where the task force comes in. Theetge said the task force, operating through at least October, will be proactive, focused on preventing crimes before they occur, rather than solely reactive. Officers will be covert and respond in numbers to address criminal activity. "There's definitely demand for it," Theetge said. "People in our city shouldn't have to worry about coming downtown to have dinner and come back to their car to find out it got broken into." There has been increased attention on crime in the city since the killing of Patrick Heringer during a burglary of his Over-the-Rhine home June 4 and a spate of killings citywide that have followed. The task force is a direct response to calls for additional police presence and resources in areas such as Downtown and Over-the-Rhine, where there have been nearly double the number of burglaries, breaking-and-entering incidents and thefts from cars so far this year. Theetge said much of that crime is driven by youths, who she has said roam around neighborhoods, breaking into cars and looking for guns. While violent crime is a focus for the task force, which has the majority of its officers from the city's violent crime squads, Theetge has said property crimes such as car break-ins are a priority. It's not the first time Cincinnati police, or other departments across the country, have established a task force to respond to an uptick in crime. Cincinnati police operated what was called the "Vortex unit" for several years in the '90s and 2000s. That unit conducted sweeps through high-crime areas such as Over-the-Rhine before criticism over its "zero-tolerance policing" strategy led to its disbandment. More: 'Unacceptable rise in crime' across downtown neighborhoods prompts city leaders to respond Theetge said the roving task force is not the return of the Vortex unit but acknowledged the two share some similarities. "Vortex did more drug investigations. They were a bit similar in that they addressed hot spots," Theetge said. "This is more focused on the data driving us where to be and why. We did not have that capability to the degree that we do now." Following the data, Theetge plans to measure the task force's success based on reversing the recent uptick in crime. Heringer's widow, Sarah Heringer, has made public calls for proactive policing in her neighborhood of Over-the-Rhine off East McMicken Avenue. Theetge has indicated those calls are being answered. North of Liberty Street, and for years surrounding a Shell gas station in between Vine and Walnut streets, has been a hot spot for criminal activity. Now, that stretch of the neighborhood will be one of the focus areas for the new task force, Theetge said. As an example of one landmark in the area, 10 years ago, Cincinnati police were stopping at the Shell an average of 2.5 times per day. While that average has improved, officers still make an average of two visits every day to the gas station, according to an Enquirer review of calls for service. Earlier in June, two people were shot, one fatally, on Walnut Street near the Shell station. The other man who was shot told The Enquirer – on the condition of anonymity because he fears retaliation – he is a rideshare driver who was struck as he was driving by. A bullet came through his windshield and hit him in the shoulder, he said. Theetge's 30-plus-year career with the Cincinnati police has followed Over-the-Rhine's continued redevelopment up toward and beyond Liberty Street. As it continues, Theetge says the roving task force will continue to address pockets of crime and said police are an integral part of pushing that development forward. "It's a slow process. It's slow progress. But it's absolutely doable," Theetge said. "Whatever the police can do to facilitate that development, we're committed to doing that." This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati's new police task force laser-focused on 'pockets of crime'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
3 people hospitalized after shooting at The Banks, police say
Three people were taken to the hospital after a shooting near The Banks in early morning of June 5, according to Cincinnati police Lt. Jonathan Cunningham. Cunningham said that the shooting occurred around 1:30 a.m. in the Smale Park area near the Washington steps. It was initially reported that the incident began as a fight that led to shots being fired. More: Here's the top priority for Cincinnati's new police task force, according to Chief Theetge Related: Cincinnati police take to sky with new drone unit, expected to cover city by year's end The victims were a 17-year-old girl, a 19-year-old man and another male of unknown age. Cunningham said that all three victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Police have not stated if they have arrested anyone at this time. The shooting is still under investigation. During a June 24 news conference, Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, Police Chief Teresa Theetge and other city leaders acknowledged the unease over crime among Cincinnati residents, particularly in neighborhoods in the urban core. The recent killing of Over-the-Rhine gym owner Patrick Heringer and a spate of shootings have left citizens on edge. The latest crime data provided by the city shows an uptick in crime of nearly all types citywide when compared with data from this time last year, particularly in Over-the-Rhine and Downtown. To help combat the spike, Theetge told The Enquirer that a new "roving task force" of 30 officers, equipped with the department's newest crime-fighting tools including remotely-piloted drones, will be focused on preventing crimes before they occur, rather than solely reactive. Enquirer media partner Fox19 provided this report. Enquirer reporter David Ferrara contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 3 people hospitalized after shooting at The Banks
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Yahoo
Here's the top priority for Cincinnati's new police task force, according to Chief Theetge
Proactive, targeted policing of crime hot spots across Cincinnati will be the priority of the police department's new "roving task force," Police Chief Teresa Theetge said in an interview with The Enquirer. A dedicated task force of 30 officers, equipped with the department's newest crime-fighting tools including remotely-piloted drones, will use data to address what Mayor Aftab Pureval described recently as an "unacceptable rise in crime" across the city, particularly in urban core neighborhoods. The majority of the department's roughly 950 officers are on uniformed patrol, responding to "calls for service" across Cincinnati based on 911 calls and other day-to-day occurrences. Given the perennial issue of being short police officers, Theetge said uniformed patrol can't keep up with groups of people committing crimes. That's where the task force comes in. Theetge said the task force, operating through at least October, will be proactive, focused on preventing crimes before they occur, rather than solely reactive. Officers will be covert and respond in numbers to address criminal activity. "There's definitely demand for it," Theetge said. "People in our city shouldn't have to worry about coming downtown to have dinner and come back to their car to find out it got broken into." There has been increased attention on crime in the city since the killing of Patrick Heringer during a burglary of his Over-the-Rhine home June 4 and a spate of killings citywide that have followed. The task force is a direct response to calls for additional police presence and resources in areas such as Downtown and Over-the-Rhine, where there have been nearly double the number of burglaries, breaking-and-entering incidents and thefts from cars so far this year. Theetge said much of that crime is driven by youths, who she has said roam around neighborhoods, breaking into cars and looking for guns. While violent crime is a focus for the task force, which has the majority of its officers from the city's violent crime squads, Theetge has said property crimes such as car break-ins are a priority. It's not the first time Cincinnati police, or other departments across the country, have established a task force to respond to an uptick in crime. Cincinnati police operated what was called the "Vortex unit" for several years in the '90s and 2000s. That unit conducted sweeps through high-crime areas such as Over-the-Rhine before criticism over its "zero-tolerance policing" strategy led to its disbandment. More: 'Unacceptable rise in crime' across downtown neighborhoods prompts city leaders to respond Theetge said the roving task force is not the return of the Vortex unit but acknowledged the two share some similarities. "Vortex did more drug investigations. They were a bit similar in that they addressed hot spots," Theetge said. "This is more focused on the data driving us where to be and why. We did not have that capability to the degree that we do now." Following the data, Theetge plans to measure the task force's success based on reversing the recent uptick in crime. Heringer's widow, Sarah Heringer, has made public calls for proactive policing in her neighborhood of Over-the-Rhine off East McMicken Avenue. Theetge has indicated those calls are being answered. North of Liberty Street, and for years surrounding a Shell gas station in between Vine and Walnut streets, has been a hot spot for criminal activity. Now, that stretch of the neighborhood will be one of the focus areas for the new task force, Theetge said. As an example of one landmark in the area, 10 years ago, Cincinnati police were stopping at the Shell an average of 2.5 times per day. While that average has improved, officers still make an average of two visits every day to the gas station, according to an Enquirer review of calls for service. Earlier in June, two people were shot, one fatally, on Walnut Street near the Shell station. The other man who was shot told The Enquirer – on the condition of anonymity because he fears retaliation – he is a rideshare driver who was struck as he was driving by. A bullet came through his windshield and hit him in the shoulder, he said. Theetge's 30-plus-year career with the Cincinnati police has followed Over-the-Rhine's continued redevelopment up toward and beyond Liberty Street. As it continues, Theetge says the roving task force will continue to address pockets of crime and said police are an integral part of pushing that development forward. "It's a slow process. It's slow progress. But it's absolutely doable," Theetge said. "Whatever the police can do to facilitate that development, we're committed to doing that." This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati's new police task force laser-focused on 'pockets of crime'
The Independent
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
JD Vance didn't vote for his half-brother in Cincinnati's mayoral primary despite posting endorsement
Vice President JD Vance didn't vote for his half-brother in the Cincinnati Ohio, non-partisan mayoral primary on May 6 despite posting an endorsement of him ahead of the vote. Vance, a former Ohio senator, advocated for Cory Bowman just hours before polls closed. Bowman received 2,926 votes, but Vance wasn't one of them, according to the voter list collated by the Hamilton County Board of Elections, which revealed Vance didn't cast a ballot in the race, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported. Records from the Elections Board reveal whether a voter cast a ballot and if they voted for a Democrat or a Republican, but it doesn't show which candidate they backed. Vance has a residence and is registered to vote in the East Walnut Hill neighborhood of the city. The Enquirer asked Bowman why Vance didn't vote for him. "I don't have any information or comment on that," Bowman said. Bowman, who shares a father with Vance, came in second out of three candidates in the primary, meaning that he will have a place in the general election. However, he came far behind Democratic Mayor Aftab Pureval, receiving 13 percent of the vote to Pureval's 83 percent. Pureval and Bowman will face off on November 4. Bowman, a Republican from the College Hill neighborhood of the city, is set to face a difficult struggle in a city where President Donald Trump and Vance lost by a three-to-one margin in last year's presidential election. Then-Vice President Kamala Harris received 76 percent of the city's vote to Trump's 24 percent. Similarly, all of Cincinnati City Council's current members are Democrats. 'I'm deeply grateful to every Cincinnati voter who cast a ballot to advance us to the general election,' Bowman said on X after the vote. 'The greatest gift local government can offer its residents is a choice. That's exactly what voters will have this November. There's much work ahead, and we're ready to show our great city that we're the best candidate for the job.' 'My family and I are overwhelmed by the encouragement and support we've received over recent weeks, and we're excited for all that will be accomplished in the months ahead,' he added. Cincinnati is a strongly Democratic city, and Republicans haven't put forward a candidate since future congressman Brad Wenstrup lost to Mark Mallory in 2009. Bowman serves as a pastor at the River Church in the West End neighborhood, and he also runs the King's Arms Coffee Shop in College Hill. He has previously said he was inspired to run for office after attending the inauguration of Trump and Vance in January. 'As I was flying back here from the inauguration, it occurred to me that I could do something to serve the community,' he said previously. It has been reported that Vance spent time on the Bowman farm in Preble County in his youth, and the younger half-brother, Bowman, who is 36 while Vance is 40, has described their relationship as a 'friendly sibling rivalry.'
