Top firm abandons its HQ in crime-plagued downtown Cincinnati over shocking brawl that horrified America
Victor Louis, CEO of One Logistics Network, is relocating his business to new headquarters just outside of the city after describing a 'decline in the livability and professionalism of the downtown area' in an open letter to city officials.
'A consistent decline in the conditions for doing business in the city over the past several years has made our continued presence untenable,' he wrote. 'My employees have concerns about their safety and do not feel valued for their contributions to the city.'
Louis said he witnessed 'violence, open drug use and disorderly conduct' near his office and downtown condo. He also said gun violence was 'alarmingly common in areas once considered safe and family-friendly.'
The CEO signed a lease on the new office space in suburban Blue Ash last week, and he is hoping to expedite the move.
He and his team of 35 will be use their current downtown offices for a few more months as they prepare for the move.
'I understand there are complex issues at play,' Louis told The Cincinnati Enquirer.
'Nothing is going to change until businesses start drawing a line and saying: "No more. This ain't happening."'
The businessman blamed the city's issues on 'a failure in leadership and a lack of effective city management.'
Louis cited the June 26 brawl as one of his main reasons for deciding to ditch the city.
He had been thinking about a move for months, but the brawl that left one woman with horrific injuries was the final straw.
Cincinnati cops have arrested five people in connection with the brawl that targeted a couple.
Jermaine Matthews, 39, Montianez Merriweather, 34, and Dekyra Vernon, 24, were taken into custody this week after the couple were violently set upon in the downtown area.
Two others were also arrested.
Footage of the altercation swept social media as the couple were seen being beaten on the street near a nightclub as a crowd gathered.
Cincinnati Chief of Police Teresa Theetge said during a press conference on Monday that around 100 people descended on the brawl, but only one called 911.
'That is unacceptable to not call the police,' she said. 'Traffic was horrendous. People saw this. They were fighting in front of traffic. Why didn't people call us?'
Matthews was charged with aggravated riot and assault. Charges against the other individuals were not immediately clear.
Shocking footage of the fight showed man in a white t-shirt get shoved to the ground and beaten by two men as other members of the crowd jeered and joined in.
The gang beat the man for nearly a minute as he lay in the middle of the street, with the attackers appearing to step on his head multiple times.
When the barrage temporarily stopped, the man was seen attempting to stand - but immediately fell over in apparent disorientation. One attacker yelled out 'my man's drunk.'
A woman in a black dress who rushed to his aid was also attacked by the crowd, suffering two blows to the face.
The impact caused her to fall, with her head slamming onto the pavement and blood spilling from her mouth.
'The behavior is nothing short of cruel and absolutely unacceptable,' Chief Theetge said.
Cincinnati City Councilman Mark Jeffreys described the video as 'incredibly disturbing and horrific' as well as 'downright inhumane.'
'This behavior cannot stand and will not represent our city,' Jeffreys said. 'Those responsible must be held accountable and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.'
Cincinnati police data released on July 21 shows that the central business district and riverfront area where the assault took place has seen a 25 percent increase in violence compared to last year.
There were 12 aggravated assaults in the city between January 1 through July 21, compared to 16 during the same time period last year.
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