Mayor of Cincinnati News Release on Peace
Mayor Mallory Launches Campaign to Address Public Safety(Cincinnati) – Mayor Mark Mallory announced today [19 Jan 2006] his public safety initiative at an afternoon press conference at the College Hill Recreation Center. Mallory’s initiative includes a series of proposals that focuses on targeted policing, more aggressively prosecuting serious criminals, cleaning up neighborhoods, and ensuring children are in school.
“Today, we are taking the first steps in an on-going campaign to improve public safety. These initiatives are designed have a real impact on our communities,” Mayor Mallory said. “Dealing with Cincinnati’s crime problem will not be easy. These problems did not develop overnight, and they will not be solved overnight. I am confident that with the combined commitment of our entire community, we can produce real results and positive change.”
Mallory’s public safety plan addresses the issue of crime in Cincinnati on several levels. The initiatives include:
1. A mandate for Cooperation
2. Make better use of crime data
3. Merge Vice and Drug Enforcement Units
4. Aggressively enforce forfeiture and property seizure ordinances to target mid-level drug dealers.
5. Target the 50 most violent criminals in Cincinnati with aggressive policing strategies
6. Coordinate media, CPOP, Citizens on Patrol to target the 50 most wanted
7. Call on the US Attorney to increase the number of prosecutorial cases they accept from Cincinnati
8. Enhance our effectiveness by strengthening our working relationship with local, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies
9. Focus on truancy sweeps in hot spots
Mallory was joined at the press conference by public officials and community leaders from across the city, including Cincinnati City Council Members, Cincinnati Police Chief Thomas Streicher, Hamilton County Coroner Dr. O’dell Owens, Cincinnati Public Schools Superintendent Rosa Blackwell, City Manager David Rager, representatives of the Coalition for a Drug-Free Cincinnati, Community Council Presidents, and other community leaders.
“The Police Department intends to seize the opportunity provided by our new leadership in Cincinnati to embark on a mission that will continue to drive down crime and improve the quality of life in Cincinnati,” Cincinnati Police Chief Tom Streicher said. “Major offenders are being targeted, greater citizen participation is being solicited, improved partnerships are being cultivated, the latest technology is being employed and the Greater Cincinnati region will be the winner. You can make a difference by joining us in this very worthwhile venture.”
"The proper approach to crime & safety in our community must include short tem & long term strategies that emphasizes increased graduation rates, reduction in drug usage, and building stronger family units," Dr. O’dell Owens said.
“It is essential that we work together as a caring community to keep the young people of our city safe and involved in healthy activities,” said Cincinnati Public Schools Superintendent Rosa Blackwell. “Prevention is the key to ensuring that our youths stay on the right track — and one of the most important ways we can accomplish this is to keep our students in school and learning. An example of how our district is working with the police department to make sure our students are in school is to support officers when they conduct truancy sweeps.”
“In order to achieve true success and change in our community, we are going to need the support of the community,” Mallory said. “Everyone one of us must step up and do what we can to reduce crime and make our neighborhoods safer.”
News Release
Mayor Mark Mallory
City of Cincinnati 801 Plum Street, Room 150, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Date: January 19, 2006
Contact: Jason Barron, 513-352-5356
