08:30CDT - 12 Apr 2001 Series of EmergencyNet News
Reports Concerning Civil Unrest in Cincinnati, Ohio:
10 to 15 Apr 2001
08:30CDT - 15 Apr 2001
CINCINNATI: A heavy police presence and rainstorms kept people off the streets of Cincinnati, which was under curfew for a third night running. Authorities have been trying to prevent a repeat of rioting sparked by the police shooting of a black teenager. The funeral of the 19-year-old who was killed by police took place on Saturday. It was followed by a tense standoff involving police and protestors during which police fired crowd control rounds - known as beanbags - at people who were causing a disturbance.
08:30CDT - 14 Apr 2001
CINCINNATI, OH
Police Brace For Funeral
Police are tightening security ahead of Saturday's funeral of an unarmed black teenager shot by a police officer a week ago. The teenager's shooting sparked three days of riots, prompting city authorities to impose a curfew on Thursday and Friday nights. Officials say the dusk-to-dawn curfew has worked, effectively putting an end to the violence. But authorities are concerned that the teenager's funeral - which has had to be moved to a bigger church to accommodate the crowds - will attract large crowds of protesters.
The service is to be held at 1330 EST at a Baptist church in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, not far from where the 19-year-old was shot. Cincinnati officials said police presence will be visible throughout the city. At least 60 people have been injured since the violence began on Monday, and more than 80 arrested.
13 Apr 2001
CINCINNATI:
Rioting Said To Be Under Control
Heavily armed police and a dusk-to-dawn curfew appear to have contained rioting and looting in Cincinnati - at least over- night. The tight security measures were ordered by the city's mayor after four days of street violence triggered by the fatal police shooting of a black male. Apart from a strong police presence, the streets of Cincinnati were virtually deserted during the night, with only a few arrests of people breaking the curfew reported.
The real test will come on Saturday, when the funeral of the black male who was shot to death takes place. The unarmed teenager was fatally shot by a white police officer trying to arrest him. On Thursday, Mayor Charles Luken declared a state of emergency and imposed a curfew from 20:00EDT until 06:00EDT, with only those people going to and from work allowed on the streets. He said the measure will remain in place for as long as necessary. At least 60 people have been injured since the violence began on Monday and more than 80 have been arrested.
EmergencyNet News -- 12 Apr 2001
COMMENTARY/EDITORIAL
Trouble in Cincinnati - Day #4;
How Much More Violence Can The City Endure?
By: Jerry Smith, Vinelines Managing Editor
(April 12, 2001) Will rioting continue in Cincinnati? Where thousands of citizens have to be thinking - they're living like hostages as menacing street gangs continue to intimidate, loot and burn. Yes, you heard it right. This ongoing civil insurrection in the (Over-the-Rhine) neighborhood can no longer be tolerated by its law abiding citizens.
An Open Letter to the Mayor of Cincinnati:
Mayor Luken, please, your overworked police force is getting weary from stressful 12 hour shift details and the constant fear and anxiety as they work hard to contain and control the spreading violence of the past three days. You're doing just what the hard-core gangs wish as more window of opportunity prevails, they will assemble in greater numbers and continue to degrade the city. Your recent decision to establish a night to dawn curfew is a positive step, but should you do more?
It's unfortunate that government hesitancy may be sending a wrong message to the hundreds of youthful trouble makers. Last night, a police officer was shot at, and we are most thankful he did not suffer life threatening wounds. That should convince you Mr. Mayor, it's time to task the Governor of Ohio, to immediately declare a state of emergency and send in the National Guard ASAP. Mobilizing the Guard and for them to arrive on scene in any numbers, will take at least 24 hours or more.
Without the National Guard, and for each day rioting continues, the responsibility for the safety of Cincinnati, rests directly on your shoulders. I hope you're not hearing from above that mobilizing the National Guard will cost too much money and may not be justified at this time. Delay in calling for the military may become a "hot button" political issue, if local law enforcement forces fail to contain the violence.
In 1992, the former, late Mayor of Los Angeles, Tom Bradley, openly on TV, sympathized with youthful protesting rioters, and politically clashed with the Police Chief during the riot. In the end, the city of Los Angeles lay smoldering in ruin, 60 persons lost their lives, hundreds were injured, 850 buildings were set-afire. Property losses exceeded one billion dollars. When the National Guard arrived and a dusk to dawn curfew was enforced, guess what, the bad guys (8,000 looters and rioters) went to jail, the citizens of Los Angeles reclaimed their city.
Mr. Mayor, I can understand and respect your sensitivity and concern for what led up to this unfortunate trigger of violence, and the remorse for the young unarmed person being shot as he ran from the police. Time will allow for a full independent investigation of what happened?
When the neighborhood clergy took to the streets last night in a valiant attempt to restore calm, and that failed, the response from rioters was loud and clear. The hard-core street gangs don't give one hoot about the city of Cincinnati, its integrity, and the safety of its citizens. If, you don't stop it soon, you will be held accountable for further bloodshed and destruction, and I know you don't want that to happen.
Lastly, in Los Angeles, during the '92 riots, and bad went to worse case scenario, roving out-of-control mobs could be heard saying: "Kill the firefighters." Within hours, mobs were attacking firefighters with guns, crowbars, rocks, bottles, bricks and axes, and other deadly objects. A courageous fire officer was shot in the face in a drive-by attempt to kill him, the same fine fire officer, who today lives the life of a wounded professional, disabled in the line of duty. Other than the shooter, who else could we blame for this innocent firefighter's unfortunate tragedy? Oh yes, the shooter was killed the following day in a confrontation with the LAPD.
This current state of affairs in Cincinnati has lost its legitimacy as a community protest. Mr. Mayor, I hope you've made the right decision, we'll have to wait and see...
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: The author, Jerry Smith, is a retired Captain from the Los Angles City Fire Dept., and formerly served as as an Asst. Chief with the Fire and Rescue Division of the California State Office of Emergency Services (OES). Additionally, he participated in the 1965 L.A. Watts Riots, and the 1992 Los Angeles S. Central Riots. He is also the author of the book: "Introduction to a Civil Disturbance - Survival in a Hostile Environment." Source Reference: http://www.emergencygrapevine.com
The views expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of ERRI/EmergencyNet News. As always, EmergencyNet News welcomes opposing viewpoints. Send your comments to firenet@emergency.com for possible inclusion in an upcoming edition.
INSTANT
08:30CDT - 12 Apr 2001
CINCINNATI, OH:
Mayor Considers Requesting National Guard To Assist In Quelling Disturbances
It was being reported that Cincinnati Mayor Charles Luken says he may call in the National Guard to help quell violent protests that have been sparked by the shooting death of an unarmed black man by police. Early Thursday, mobs of vandals broke windows and looted stores as the unrest spread from a mostly black neighborhood where a police officer was shot in earlier rioting. The officer was wearing a vest, which stopped the bullet late Wednesday night in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, where most of the violence has been centered. He was treated and released from a hospital. Police were searching for the suspect.
Other outbreaks of violence and random gunshots were reported in at least four other areas near Over-the-Rhine, and white motorists in several areas were hit with rocks and bricks. There were no reported serious injuries. At least 66 people have been arrested on such charges as disorderly conduct, criminal rioting, obstruction, felony assault, theft and breaking and entering since the violence began Monday.
Before vandals hit other neighborhoods, the only clashes on Wednesday were minor and occurred as a dozen officers on horseback blocked about 100 protesters from crossing the main road that divides Over-the-Rhine from the city's downtown business district. The crowd tried to head south to City Hall for an impromptu demonstration, but dozens of officers in riot gear stopped them.
21:30CST - 10 Apr 2001
Disturbances Carry Over to Second Day; Several Injured, At Least 20 Arrests Reported
Cincinnati, OH (EmergencyNet News) -- According to reports coming into the EmergencyNet News watchdesk, civil disturbances are continuing and even escalating tonight in the "Over The Rhine" neighborhood of Cincinnati. Police in riot gear have been trying to contain the violence, which has included several arson attacks, vandalism to property, and even attacks on innocent passer-bys, by rioters using rocks and bottles.
Police sources said that about 150 "hard-core" protestors are involved in the disturbances, with another large group of spectators and "hangers-on" watching events and shouting support for those participating. Several people have been injured, including a news photographer. Police sources say that at least twenty people have been arrested so far tonight.
The protesters are reportedly angry about the death of Timothy Thomas, an African American suspect, who was allegedly killed by a Cincinnati police officer this past weekend. Both police and Cincinnati City Council investigations continue into the police-related shooting incident. EmergencyNet News continues to monitor events in Cincinnati and will provide additional details as circumstances warrant...
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