Police District Restructuring Evaluation (for what it is worth) 8.18.25

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In November 2023, the city “restructured” our police districts. District 5 was eliminated. The Cincinnati Police Department had been operating out of  5 Districts for 150 years.  Mayor  Purveal and the current city council (currently up for reelection) decided that they did not want to invest $20 million in a new HQ for District 5, which had been in the works for 7 years, so they came up with a “restructuring plan” for the police. The effective date of District 5’s elimination was November 12, 2023.

On 8.14.25, I submitted a public records request for any evaluation of the restructuring.  On 8.18.25, I receved a response. Two powerpoint slide decks were provided as responsive documents. One was the 2024 “Year in Review,” for the police and the other was “Change in Response Times, Redistricting 90 Day Comparison.”

One unusual thing about the city’s responsive documents is that the “Comparison” slide deck is dated 8.18.25, which is after my public records request. So, it looks like they did do an analysis but never issued it publicly. What does that tell you?

The slide deck does its best to confuse the issue, but the fact is that a proper evaluation of the restructuring involves more than an analysis of response times. A lot more.

In episode 28 of “Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser,” I discuss how the elimination of District 5 is a prime example of how this mayor, this city council, and this city manager are disinvesting in public safety.

Cincinnati_Police_Department_-_Year_End_2024_Review (1)

Response_Time_Presentation_-_Wide_Screen (1)

Yahoo Mail – Follow up to public comments on 9.17.25 re District 5

Records Request Concerning the City’s November 2023 Restructuring of the Police Districts

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Originally proposed in May 2023, the City restructured the police districts in November 2023. There had been 5 police districts in Cincinnati for 150 years but this bunch in city hall decided that the city did not need 5 districts any longer. The restructuring was triggered by the decision not to build a new District 5 Headquarters. We are going to look into the “shenanigans” surrounding that decision. But today we are seeking records of any assessment carried out by the city concerning the restrructuring. What has been the impact of the restructuring on public safety? That is what we are trying to find out. City Hall  said the move was to make operations “more efficient.” So, let us see if that is the case. Where is the data?

Meanwhile, District 3, where the New Year’s shootings took place, doubled in size. It is hard to believe that response times have not increased for District 3 but hopefully, there is report that will answer the question.

 

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19XsqM5cAW/

 

CPD-Restructure–Press-Conference Presentation May 2023

 

Cincinnati officially closes District Five police headquarters _ WVXU

 

Yahoo Mail – Fw_ [External Email] Shootings in Price Hill pg 2

https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/hamilton-county/cincinnati/seconds-and-minutes-matter-data-shows-cpd-response-times-regress-after-closing-down-district-5?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Takeaways from the August 2025 Meeting of the West Price Hill Community Council

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Of Cincinnati’s 52 neighborhoods, the westside neighborhoods, East Price Hill, West Price Hill, Lower Price Hill  and Westwood, make up roughly half of Cincinnati’s population.  During a well attended meeting on August 12, 2025, the frustrations of the neighborhood residents who attended the meeting, spilled out all over the place. I posted my observations on my FB page. The link is below.

The meeting was a solid 2 hours long and much more was discussed than I describe in my post. For example, the most amount of time was spent on the restructuring of the Hamilton County Probation Department. Probably the subject of a future Watchdog podcast. A member of city council and candidate for re-election attended and was probably shell shocked by the discussion. The meeting also heard from 3 new city council candidates who took  a few minutes to introduce themselves.

But my FB post focuses on 1) comments from a transpalnt from Orlando who described buyer’s remorse based on qulaity of life issues in West Price Hill and 2) an acknowledgment from the police that people come to Cincinnati from hundreds of miles away, primaily the Price Hill neighborhoods, for the social servcies that the city has concentrated and subsidized in Price Hill and its negative affect on our qiulaity of life.

 

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/172Fcei7JA/

Tax Incentive Review Council (TIRC) Annual Report June 2025

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Cincinnati City Council held its summer meeting on August 6 and will not meet again until the first week of September.  It was a very long agenda – 107 items.  I am still going through it. But this item is interesting.
The City manager submitted the annual report of the “Tax Incentive Review Council” (TIRC) today. It was referred to the Budget and Finance Committee where it is likely to recommend that the report be accepted – no querstions asked.
The TIRC keeps track of the property tax exemptions approved by the city. Namely Tax Increment Financing exemptions (TIF) and  Community Reinvestment Act agreements (CRA). The TIRC decides whether the city’s TIF exemtions and CRA agreements should continue. For example, is the recipient of the tax break keeping up their part of the bargain.
Anyway, the attendance roster for the TIRC’s annual meeting shows that both “Citizen Member” positions on the council are vacant.
If you are surprised, don’t be. That is how this mayor, council and city manager roll.
(I nominate Steve Deiters of Oakley, btw.)

Our mayor is in La La Land

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On May 20, 2024, “Governing,” a website about state and local government, reported that,

“Mayor Aftab Pureval says that every issue that comes across his desk is looked at through two lenses: equity first then climate.”

Then the mayor is quoted, “When I look at the time horizon of the next 50 years, the cities that get those issues right are poised for incredible growth and success,” he says.

Are we really supposed to believe the mayor when he tells us that his first, second and third priorities are public safety?

I wonder what he saw in terms of equity and climate when the issue of Patrick Heringer’s murder crossed his desk?

Our mayor is in La La Land.

Residents of at-risk neighborhoods help shape Cincinnati’s Green Plan._compressed (1)

 

Mayor Pureval’s dishonest question called out on 55KRC with Brian Thomas. (7.30.25)

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This morning (7.30.25) Hamilton County Domestic Relations Judge Betsy Sundermann was on 55KRC with Brian Thomas discussing public safety. During her career, Judge Sundermann has also served on city council as well as serving as a Judge on the juvenile court. It is worth a listen. Here is the link:

https://55krc.iheart.com/featured/brian-thomas-wkrc/content/2025-07-30-judge-betsy-sundermann-curfews-dont-work/

During her conversation with Brian, Judge Sundermann noted something about the special city council meeting on July 23rd.  Keep in mind that the mayor called for the special meeting. It was his show.

Judge Sundermann noted the exchange between the mayor and the chief of police:

Mayor Pureval:

Mister Cramerding, if I could interrupt us briefly. Building on Mr. Cramerding’s question, I too have heard this somewhat vague concern that we have somehow handcuffed police officers from doing their job. I just want to ask a direct question: Have I or any of the elected officials here directed you or asked you to tell police officers not to enforce certain laws?

Chief Theetge:

Absolutely not.

Mayor Pureval:

Thank you.

Well, as Judge Sundermann noted, the mayor did not include other city officials in his question, namely the city manager, i.e. the chief’s boss.

Under the city charter, those types of conversations about public safety would normally occur between the city manager and the police chief and the chief’s management team.

Of course, the mayor knows that. So, here is the question: why did the mayor not inquire about the city manager as part of his question?

Answer: Because it was a dishonest question on the part of the mayor, intended to mislead. At least that’s how I view it.

A copy of the unofficial transcript excerpt is posted below:

Special meeting 7.23.25 transcript excerpt

Mayor Pureval is busy with Democrat party business while Cincinnati is in chaos.

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The New York Times included a quote from Mayor Pureval in its July 10, 2025 report about a new group called “Majority Democrat.”  Mayor Pureval is leading local organizing at the national level for the group.  I edited the quote slightly so that it was more accurate.

Mayor Pureval was also in Cleveland last week at a conference of the Democrat Mayor Association. The theme of the conference (ironically) was “Community Over Chaos.” Mayor Pureval was a member of the final panel of the conference on Friday afternoon. The panel topic was, “The Path Forward.”

While Cincinnati is on the brink of a total breakdown in public safety, the Mayor is busy as a leader of the national “Majority Democrat” group and busy in Cleveland telling his fellow mayors about the “Path Forward.” As the warning goes: “consider the source.”

 

These Younger Democrats Are Sick of Their Party’s Status Quo – The New York Times

NYT July 10, 2025, Pureval quote – slightly edited

Final Summit Program – Version 2

Final Summit Program – Version 2 pg 8

Sarah Heringer’s June 8, 2025 demands about her husband’s murder

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The city should meet the demands of Sarah Heringer in her June 8, 2025 FB post

 

WCPO’s I-Team report raises many of the questions that need to be pursued.

https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/i-team/police-knew-mordecia-black-had-parole-violations-2-months-before-fatal-otr-stabbing-but-never-arrested-him

 

Sarah Heringer June 8 2025 demands

 

Special meeting motion 7.23.25

 

Ohio Adult Parole Authority Data 2021

 

Special meeting 7.23.25 transcript excerpt

 

 

 

Restructuring Hamilton County Probation

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At last night’s meeting of the West Price Hill Community Council (7.8.25), there was a lot of discussion of the recently reported restructuring of the Hamilton County Probation office and its operation. There were many concerns raised by those in attendance and a vote was taken to send a letter to county officials.
This morning I contacted Magistrate Tom Beridon. He is the Court Administrator and Chief Magistrate. He provided me with a copy of the news release announcing the restructuring containing some details. It is posted below.
I will post the Community Council’s letter articulating our concerns once it is finalized.

 

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