Cincinnati has funneled a large portion of its $5.4 million public safety budget into a proactive crime center and improved police visibility, following a series of violent incidents that captured public attention. The interim Police Chief, Adam Hennie, recently updated the City Council on the status of the expenditures, which included $1.2 million for police overtime and a significant investment in surveillance infrastructure. "Not only are we very close to having our 24-hour crime center operational, but here coming into March, we'll have 90% of the city covered by drones," Hennie told WVXU.
Despite the allocation mainly addressing heightened law enforcement presence, the usage of youth curfew centers came under scrutiny after investing $380,000 in a facility that only accommodated four children thus far. "To spend [nearly] $400,000 on four kids — it's the equivalent of $100,000 per kid," Council Member Mark Jeffreys criticized, as WVXU reported. Hennie has defended the curfew centers, describing them as an "insurance policy" that underscores the city's commitment to curfew enforcement.
Meanwhile, the city's technological upgrade has been noteworthy, with a focus on improving camera surveillance. The Cincinnati Police Department is addressing the shortfall of 89 malfunctioning cameras. Hennie mentioned to WVXU, "We're using covert officers, we're using our civilian staff, we're utilizing all resources on deck once we realized how critical this issue was." These efforts are part of the city's mission not only to react to crime but to deter criminal activities before they happen.
Challenges like unexpected winter storms have delayed camera installations, but progress has been made, including operational cameras now running in key neighborhoods. These efforts aim for a holistic approach to public safety that includes both enforcement and deterrence. With additional federal funds on the horizon for further technological advancements, the city anticipates strengthening its public safety framework even more. However, city leaders have yet to comment on the spending timeline of over $1 million in earmarked federal funds, as Local12 reported, because these funds have not been officially received.
