A few trying to "capitalize" on the situation, lack of outreach getting blame

Staying at home is keeping people safe from the coronavirus, but not necessarily safe from violence.The city of Cincinnati has seen more robberies, shootings and homicides.Members of the City Council's Law and Public Safety committee learned that the city’s homicide rate is more than double what it was last year.“There’s some great work being done, it’s just that there are a few individuals who have decided to capitalize on this opportunity, and this is the way it’s manifesting itself,” said Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot Isaac. The city has had 270 robberies reported so far this year, up from 206 at the same time last year – a 31% increase.120 shootings compared to last year’s 79 – that’s a 52% increase.And 28 homicides through yesterday, compared to only 13 last year during the same time period.Concerns about COVID-19 are keeping people home while also cutting down on the department’s ability to do face-to-face outreach and crime prevention. “That community mobilization piece is one of the things that we are missing greatly right now,” Isaac said. The hope expressed by council member Chris Smitherman is that as life returns to normal, the city’s crime rate will begin to return to normal as well.

Staying at home is keeping people safe from the coronavirus, but not necessarily safe from violence.

The city of Cincinnati has seen more robberies, shootings and homicides.


Members of the City Council's Law and Public Safety committee learned that the city’s homicide rate is more than double what it was last year.

“There’s some great work being done, it’s just that there are a few individuals who have decided to capitalize on this opportunity, and this is the way it’s manifesting itself,” said Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot Isaac.

The city has had 270 robberies reported so far this year, up from 206 at the same time last year – a 31% increase.

120 shootings compared to last year’s 79 – that’s a 52% increase.

And 28 homicides through yesterday, compared to only 13 last year during the same time period.

Concerns about COVID-19 are keeping people home while also cutting down on the department’s ability to do face-to-face outreach and crime prevention.

“That community mobilization piece is one of the things that we are missing greatly right now,” Isaac said.

The hope expressed by council member Chris Smitherman is that as life returns to normal, the city’s crime rate will begin to return to normal as well.