The Reds' Opening Day party at The Banks ended early Thursday night when dozens of officers moved in, broke up a large crowd and closed the riverfront entertainment district for the rest of the night. Police directed people away from the plaza around Smale Riverfront Park, and many businesses locked their doors while officers worked to clear the area.
According to WKRC, police shut down The Banks for the remainder of the night after a disturbance following the game and pushed people out of the riverfront entertainment zone. The station reported that what exactly sparked the gathering and tension was still unclear as officers were clearing the area.
As reported by WCPO, officers initially responded to calls about more than 300 teens gathering near Smale Park, and video circulating online shows fights spilling into the street. WCPO added that a small number of people were arrested on disorderly conduct charges and that officers moved the crowd north toward Fountain Square while making those arrests.
Officials And Witnesses
The Cincinnati Fraternal Order of Police and some bystanders pointed to what they see as lax consequences and poor supervision. FOP president Ken Kober told WCPO that teens "do not fear the justice system." City officials and business owners at The Banks said officers were focused on containing the situation and preventing more serious violence while they moved people out of the plaza.
Why Officers Were Prepared
The city had expected big Opening Day crowds, and its special-events calendar lists multiple block parties and thousands of attendees for March 26. Weekend enforcement measures have already been in place to try to curb trouble, according to the City of Cincinnati and reporting from FOX19. Officials have used ID checkpoints and increased police presence on busy weekend nights in an effort to keep underage crowds out of the central plaza.
What To Watch
Police did not immediately release a detailed incident report, and local outlets report that investigations and internal reviews are still underway. Authorities and journalists are asking anyone with photos, video or tips from Thursday night to share them with Cincinnati police or local newsrooms as the city works to sort out what happened at The Banks.
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