In a bold move that escalated tensions between the Cincinnati Police Department (CPD) and Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS), Police Chief Teresa Theetge appeared unannounced at a school board meeting to address a surge in youth crime at transit centers. Theetge’s unexpected appearance was to demand action and support from the district after recording a significant uptick in incidents involving CPS students, WLWT reported.
"The police should not be the only people that Cincinnati Public School students have to answer to when they are misbehaving," Theetge said, expressing her frustration to the board. According to WLWT, so far in 2024, there have been 74 youth-involved incidents at key transit hubs. The department has incurred $418,000 on overtime for police presence at these centers, a figure Theetge highlighted as a reflection of the city's commitment to stability and a burden on its resources.
Chief Theetge noted the gravity of the situation, hinting at a looming crisis if the matters are not promptly addressed. "Mark my words: Something critical is going to happen and then everyone is going to be pointing the finger at police," she told the school board as recorded by FOX19. Her remarks underscored a potential worst-case scenario an encounter between law enforcement and armed youth that could lead to irreversible outcomes.
On the other hand, CPS board president Eve Bolton responded sharply to Theetge's approach. "I am stunned. feel we were ambushed, because we did not know they were coming," she said following the meeting, as indicated by FOX19. Bolton rebuffed the implication that the school board should station staff at transit centers, “No. That’s not what we do and we are not an arm of the police,” highlighting her opposition to Theetge’s request and her belief that teenage misconduct is to be expected to some degree.
Despite the board's resistance, Theetge has maintained that proactive collaboration between the CPD and CPS is essential to mitigate the growing insecurity around the city's transit centers. This sentiment is echoed in the police chief's calls for a shared effort to oversee youth behavior and defuse potential conflicts. While Local12 acknowledged Bolton's acknowledgment of the severity of the crimes, it is clear that the tactics for handling the situation are divisive and remain a matter of heated debate.
