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Cincinnati Police Have New Strategy To Reduce Violence

Ashley Zilka
/
WCPO
Evanston's "gun battle" was one factor in this new police strategy.

Just a week ago five people were shot in Evanston in what Interim Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot Isaac called "a senseless act." Just around the corner on Fairfield there was a double homicide. Police say those crimes have now been solved.

Penetrating gang activity could be the key in reducing violent crime in Cincinnati.

Cincinnati Police Assistant Chief Dave Bailey, in a Monday media availability, says there's a new strategy to reduce violent crime and it involves getting more police into Avondale, East Price Hill, Westwood, and the West End where recent violence has occurred.  Other areas, like Evanston, won't be ruled out. He says,"The boots on the ground, talking, walking, investigating, guess what you get? You get target information. You interview targets and you get more information."

Bailey says such a strategy worked with a Northside gang, the Taliband, back in 2008 where identifying a core group of five gang members led to the identification of 100 others.

This time police look to take out two legs of a crime triangle: the people and the place. Bailey says, "Your people strategy, your place strategy, all working together, all prioritizing together. Then you neutralize that crime triangle to the extent possible."

Police are also working with the ATF to figure out where the guns used in the crimes are coming from.
 

Ann Thompson has decades of journalism experience in the Greater Cincinnati market and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her reporting.