CINCINNATI — Expect more police officers around Main Street and The Banks this weekend as Cincinnati officials increase security measures following a shooting that left nine injured in Over-the-Rhine.
Two people were arrested this week in connection to Sunday's shooting. Hamilton County prosecutor Joe Deters said newly released surveillance footage shows Diablo McCoats and Jarvis Barnes firing shots back and forth near the intersection of Main and Woodward streets. Police believe a third unknown shooter fired six additional shots.
"This cannot and will not happen again," Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval said during the city's Thursday press conference addressing the arrests.
Pureval, city councilman Scotty Johnson, city manager John Curp and interim police chief Teresa Theetge discussed plans to tackle violence in OTR head-on. Theetge said SWAT and Civil Disturbance Response Team members will be out Friday and Saturday night, as they have in previous weeks. Those heading to The Banks for the Reds vs. Cubs series or the Bengals' preseason game against the Cardinals will also see increased police presence.
"Citizens of Cincinnati should feel comfortable coming down to The Banks to watch a Bengals game, a Reds game and enjoy some of the establishments," Theetge said. "Citizens should enjoy and feel comfortable coming down to Main Street or any other entertainment district in the City of Cincinnati. We the police department are 100% dedicated to ensuring their safety."
Multiple city departments will help police in both areas, Curp said. Public service vehicles may block certain roads to control traffic, and the city is instituting a parking restriction on Main Street starting at 8 p.m. Friday.
Theetge said while there will be an increased police presence, that does not mean an "increased police enforcement." She said officers will not stop people from hanging out in front of businesses, and noted the city does not have a law against loitering. Instead, she said the department's goal is compliance — "compliance for businesses, compliance for patrons and civility and compliance to the crowds that come down to these areas."
Residents said they hope the changes can bring some good to the area.
"Actually, I was really happy to hear about the changes I live down here and it does make me feel safer," Allie Biggs said. "I think any time you get big groups of people get together, sometimes things can get out of hand, so, you know, especially late at night when people are drinking and there's bars around ... I think it's a good idea."
One business said the changes are a step in the right direction, but others in the area say more needs to be done.
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