Water barricades are already in place in an area of Beyond the Rhine in hopes of reducing crime.
Cincinnati police have installed water barricades at Green and Republic streets, an area they say is a hot spot for drug trafficking and crime.
Scott Ford, who lives in the neighborhood, says that every night a crowd of more than 50 people line up their cars on this street and gather under an awning to drink, party and deal drugs. He hopes this ends soon with the help of these barricades.
“Normally, at night, under the awning, you might have 100 guys gathered on this block, which creates noise issues, disturbances and other elements of crime,” Ford said.
Ford and his neighbors have been working with police to reduce crime on their streets for months.
“Water barricades are one of many interventions where we will see what works and what doesn’t,” said Cincinnati Police Lt. John Cunningham.
The lieutenant says the three-foot-high barricades are part of a strategy the city calls “Local Violent Offender Territory Investigations,” which attempts to reduce crime with the help of police and city leaders.
“We believe there is some traffic issue where some people think it’s easy to get in and out to buy drugs,” Lt. Cunningham said. “So, with these barricades, this will end.”
Ford is not convinced that these barricades will be the solution.
He’s concerned about foot traffic, which Cincinnati Council member Scotty Johnson says officials are watching closely.
“The water barricades will reduce automobile traffic,” Johnson said. “Pedestrian traffic will be monitored by officers on foot and bikes to ensure we are doing everything we can to reduce all illegal activity.”
While Ford says this was a small step in reducing crime in his area, it is an important one.
“Seeing the last hour unfold gives me a lot of hope that a turning point will finally happen,” Ford said of the water barricades.
Signs have been added to Republic and Vine streets to alert people that there is no longer any traffic from Republic Street to Green Street.
Parking permit signs have also been added to Republic Street.
Johnson and Cunningham say the city will continue to monitor the impact of these barricades on crime in the area and update these strategies based on that data.
Enquirer Media Partner Fox 19 provided this report.
This article originally appeared in the Cincinnati Enquirer: Barricades over the waters of the Rhine block traffic to stop crime
