In the face of recent violence, Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval has proposed an earlier curfew time for minors, moving it from 9 p.m. to 6 p.m. around Fountain Square. This decision comes after disturbances and shootings in the area that led to heightened law enforcement presence and the arrest of four young individuals, as reported by WLWT. The proposed curfew shift is part of a broader strategy to ensure safety during public events, such as the Thursday Night Football watch party set to take place at Fountain Square.
Following up on the Mayor’s proposal, additional changes targeting downtown safety are under consideration, including the rerouting of buses at Government Square and deploying more police officers in key areas. As highlighted in information obtained by The Enquirer, the Cincinnati City Council had previously enacted a 9 p.m. special curfew for unaccompanied children under 18 in Downtown and parts of Over-the-Rhine, with a citywide curfew set for 11 p.m. The police are actively seeking a 24-year-old in connection with an Oct. 13 shooting, where two minors, aged 16 and 19, sustained injuries.
The conversation on downtown safety and public policy has also drawn in local business leaders. Britney Ruby-Miller, CEO of Jeff Ruby's, expressed both frustration and optimism regarding the future of the downtown area. In the wake of the shootings, Ruby-Miller is looking for reassurances from city officials that proactive measures will be put in place to curb such incidents. Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge, in a press conference covered by WCPO, took a firm stance, stating, "Expect if you're doing something that you've never been approached about before, we're going to start reminding you your actions are illegal."
The reaction to Theetge's comments has been mixed, with Ruby-Miller acknowledging a sense of discomfort: "I don't think that feels comfortable for the mayor or for many people in leadership right now, and I think that's a big part of the problem," she told WCPO. Alongside legislative measures, the expressed sentiments of business leaders suggest a broader community engagement will be necessary to address the roots of violence and create a sustained environment of safety and progress in downtown Cincinnati.
