Latest news with #EvendalePoliceDepartment
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Yahoo
Investigation underway after officer fatally shoots pursuit suspect; here's what we know
A Lockland police officer fatally shot a man early Wednesday while authorities were searching for suspects involved in a police pursuit that started in Butler County. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation has taken over the shooting inquiry − as routinely happens in fatal police shootings statewide − but police departments that responded to the incident have released statements about what happened. Here's what we know so far about the shooting and police chase that preceded it. West Chester Township police began the pursuit at the intersection of Princeton Glendale Road and Provident Drive after they received notification from a license plate reader of a stolen vehicle, according to a township spokeswoman. Officers located the vehicle and attempted to pull it over but the driver fled. West Chester officers pursued the vehicle for approximately six miles and ended the chase at the Hamilton County line, where it was picked up by other departments. Several police departments responded at about 2:45 a.m. to assist when the chase entered Hamilton County, according to the Evendale Police Department. The vehicle being pursued was found crashed near Glendale Milford Road and Evendale Drive, though the suspect was not found there, officials said. After one suspect had been taken into custody, a Lockland officer located a second suspect walking along the interstate, Lockland Police Chief Michael Ott said in a news release. "The officer reported the suspect had something in his hands and was refusing to obey commands," Ott said. "The officer attempted to use less lethal force to address the non-compliant suspect, but the Taser didn't stop the suspect." As the suspect disobeyed police commands, the Lockland officer, whose identity has not been released, opened fire on the suspect and struck him in the chest, Ott said. Police and other first responders began providing medical care to the wounded suspect but he did not survive. Officials have yet to release the names of the suspect or officer. Automated networks of license plate readers are becoming more common, especially with the widespread adoption of Flock cameras. These readers can be installed on police cruisers or in stationary positions throughout a city. The technology allows police to see which cars were in an area at the time of a crime and if police are searching for a vehicle, the network can alert police if that specific license plate is spotted and where. License plate readers have helped investigators track suspects in violent crimes, including after an employee at a Springdale hotel was shot and killed at work last year. The shooting on Wednesday follows a spate of recent police shootings in Greater Cincinnati, although the others did not result in a fatality. Covington police officers shot Charles Davis, 62, shortly after a robbery at the U.S. Bank on Madison Avenue on Feb. 28. Davis brandished what appeared to be a handgun and pointed it at the officers, however, he was wielding a toy gun modified to look more like a real firearm, officials said. The same day, officers shot Robert Brandon Eldred, 39, who is accused of charging at sheriff's deputies with an ax in Columbia Township, according to the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office. Cincinnati police then responded on the night of March 2 to Walnut Hills after receiving a 911 call and shot 31-year-old Patrick Lyons after he charged at officers with a knife, the department said. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Lockland officer fatally shoots man on I-75 after stolen vehicle chase
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Yahoo
A majority-Black town starts armed protection group after neo-Nazi rally
LINCOLN HEIGHTS, Ohio — Nearly every morning for the last month, Jay has been waking up before sunrise to drive around the streets of Lincoln Heights, patrolling neighborhood bus stops to make sure children are getting to school safely. 'We have a very tight community, so all of our kids, they know us,' he said. But for anyone outside the community, Jay's presence might be a mystery. He wears a face covering along with tactical vests, and Jay is not his real name, which he asked not to use to prevent harassment from hate groups. He's a member of the Lincoln Heights Safety and Watch program, an initiative that started shortly after Feb. 7, when a neo-Nazi group waving swastika flags and shouting racial slurs demonstrated on a highway overpass just on the edge of this majority-Black community about 30 minutes north of Cincinnati. Officers from Evendale, which borders Lincoln Heights, and the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office both responded that day. No arrests were made, and Evendale police officers did not take down any names or identifying information from members of the neo-Nazi group, according to the mayor's office. The Hamilton County Prosecutor's office is currently investigating the incident to see if criminal charges could be filed. In a statement, Evendale Mayor Richard Finan said officers' emphasis on de-escalation 'resulted in the incident's resolution without injuries to any of the persons involved, passersby or law enforcement officers. During this evolving scene, protecting life took priority over immediate identification.' The Evendale Police Department was the first to respond to the incident, which took place on a bridge linking Evendale with Lincoln Heights. But for Daronce Daniels, the safety and watch group's spokesperson, the police response was just as alarming as the neo-Nazi appearance, making residents feel they wouldn't be protected if another hate group were to visit their town. 'They've been very clear that if it happens again, they'll allow it to happen again, that their hands are tied,' Daniels said. Lincoln Heights residents said the police response to the incident was insufficient, prompting Daniels and other members of the Heights Movement, an existing community empowerment organization, to devise the safety and watch program, which includes armed volunteers wearing tactical gear and face coverings. Some of the same volunteers who helped mentor youth through the Heights Movement are now going on armed patrols. Ohio state law allows anyone legally allowed to own a gun to open carry without a permit. 'I've never felt safer as a Black man in my community than I have right now,' Daniels said. 'These are my friends. These are my cousins, my brothers, my sisters, my aunties.' Local business owner Eric Ruffin was accosted in his car by the neo-Nazi group as he was coming home from a work meeting. He said he supports law enforcement, but that its handling of the Feb. 7 demonstration doesn't give him faith that it will protect him in the future. For that reason, he says he's proud of the neighborhood safety and watch program, even though he wishes it weren't needed. 'What I don't understand is how I can be standing here in America in 2025 and somebody can walk up to my window with a swastika and have guns and call me the N-word and law enforcement watch,' Ruffin said. 'We don't want to become what we hate. You know, we don't want to become a group of people that walk around feeling like we have a reason in America to have to protect ourselves. That's what the Nazis want.' The village of Lincoln Heights was formed in 1923 for Black families escaping the South, and it incorporated in 1946 as the 'first African American self-governing community north of the Mason-Dixon Line,' according to the town's website. However, residents say the community has been underserved by local municipalities, and its police department was disbanded in 2014, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer, leaving it under the jurisdiction of the Hamilton County Sheriff. For many safety and watch volunteers, that history plays a role in their decision to add to their everyday duties as parents and workers. 'It's just something that our grandfathers and our great-grandmothers — they started this. So we're going to make sure that that history stays intact,' said one volunteer, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation from hate groups. Yard signs that read 'We Support Lincoln Heights Safety & Watch' are peppered throughout the town, and community members could be seen waving to safety and watch volunteers as they stood guard near the local elementary school one Tuesday morning. Chantelle Phillips said she saw the neo-Nazi rally playing out on social media as it happened. She said she trusts the neighborhood protection group to be more proactive than officers with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, whose jurisdiction includes Lincoln Heights. 'I feel like it's more secure now,' Phillips said. 'I know my son can walk home and be OK.' Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey is now calling on the Ohio state Legislature to pass laws that make it illegal to wear a mask 'for the purpose of intimidation' while open carrying. She said this measure would have given her officers more leeway to make arrests during the neo-Nazi rally. In an interview with NBC News, she defended her officers' response on Feb. 7 but said she understands why Lincoln Heights residents are concerned for their safety. Still, she worries that an armed confrontation between neighborhood residents and another hate group could lead to a dangerous situation. 'They feel they need to arm their residents, and they're allowed to,' McGuffey said. 'At some point, we are going to likely face a very dangerous situation that we are trained to handle. But the unknown is, who else is armed? How many juveniles are standing around with a gun in their hand? I cannot be more emphatic that this issue that we're embedded in, and the way that people are reacting and acting with guns with open carry is directly related to the inaction of legislators who say they support law enforcement, who say they support families and order, and they do not.' This article was originally published on
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Evendale investigation is a start, but tougher laws needed against armed threats
On Feb. 7, a disturbing event unfolded in Lincoln Heights, a historically Black neighborhood in our community. Armed, masked neo-Nazis marched through the area, spewing hate speech and intimidating residents. Their actions were not just an act of hate but a stark failure of the very institutions meant to protect us. As the situation developed, many of my constituents, along with others across the region, questioned why the police failed to intervene despite multiple opportunities. As more details emerged, reports from the Lockland Local School District revealed that a police officer from the jurisdiction of Evendale was seen meeting with these neo-Nazis while they loaded weapons and organized in their U-Haul. This revelation further eroded the trust between the community and law enforcement. For many in Lincoln Heights, this event symbolized the failure of the police to protect them, prompting some residents to arm themselves to ensure their safety. The message was clear: The community could no longer rely on the police as their first and last line of defense. More: Live: Hamilton County commissioners hope to get answers Tuesday about neo-Nazi rally In light of this, I commend the Evendale Police Department for taking a significant step toward accountability. By hiring an independent team to review the police actions during this incident, the department is acknowledging the concerns of the community and working to rebuild the trust that was lost. This team will not only review the events but will also assess whether more could have been done to prevent the situation or confirm that the officers acted as they should have. Additionally, the team will provide recommendations on how law enforcement can better navigate an ever-evolving political and social landscape. As a state representative and the ranking member of the Public Safety Committee, my priority is to ensure safety and order within all of our communities. What transpired in Lincoln Heights was a community on edge, feeling abandoned by the very institution designed to protect them. I am grateful that the Evendale Police Department has recognized the gravity of this situation and taken the necessary steps to address it. Regardless of the outcome of the investigation, I hope that this marks a crucial first step in healing the fractured trust. More: My grandfather helped build Lincoln Heights. Now it's our turn to protect it. | Opinion However, this cannot be the end of the conversation. The most important element of law enforcement is the relationship of trust it shares with the community. When that trust erodes, it harms not only the agency but the entire community. If we fail to act, we risk perpetuating a dangerous cycle of mistrust that undermines public safety. That is why I am introducing legislation aimed at preventing incidents like this from happening again. Under my proposal, anyone who enters a community armed and masked will immediately be subject to law enforcement intervention. If an individual enters a community with the intent to intimidate or cause harm, law enforcement must have the authority to act swiftly to remove them. This is not an attack on the Second Amendment or the right to protest; it is a necessary measure to prevent armed intimidation and protect public safety. We cannot allow masked individuals to march into our neighborhoods with weapons, spreading fear and chaos. The safety of the public must come first. This legislation will ensure that communities are protected and that law enforcement has the tools to act when necessary. We must make it clear: The right to intimidate or incite violence will always be secondary to ensuring safety and peace. More: Man ticketed for scattering 'hate flyers' in Lincoln Heights, accused of taking peace flag I commend the Evendale Police Department for their commitment to transparency and accountability. By taking this crucial step, they have shown a willingness to confront difficult questions and rebuild trust. However, the work is far from over. I will continue to push for legislation that strengthens our communities, supports law enforcement, and prioritizes the safety of all citizens. Together, we can ensure that what happened on Feb. 7 never happens again. State Rep. Cecil Thomas is currently serving his second term in the Ohio House of Representatives. He represents the 25th House District, which encompasses part of Hamilton County. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: My legislation will ensure law enforcement stops masked armed threats
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Consulting firm to review Evendale police's actions during neo-Nazi demonstration
An out-of-state consulting firm will be reviewing the actions of a police agency that responded to the neo-Nazi demonstration near Cincinnati earlier this month. The Village of Evendale said in a statement Friday that it has asked Illinois-based 21 CP Solutions to "review the events of February 7," including police actions, as well as to "provide insights and recommendations on best practice law enforcement in today's ever-changing political and social landscape." The firm is led by former Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey, who has 50 years of experience in the law enforcement field. More: Body cam shows how Evendale police reacted to white supremacist protest EVENDALE OH (February 21, 2025): An independent team has been hired to review the events of February 7. The Village of... Posted by Village of Evendale, Ohio on Friday, February 21, 2025 'We owe it to our community and all those affected by Feb. 7 to learn from that day and strengthen trust,' Mayor Richard Finan said in the statement. "The Village of Evendale and the Evendale Police Department are committed to full transparency in this process, including regular updates and a promise to release the findings report in full at the conclusion of the review." Work is expected to start next week. The full details of the engagement, including the scope of work and anticipated timelines, will be announced during a 1 p.m. news conference Monday at the Evendale Village Council Chambers. The 21 CP Solutions team is comprised of a "diverse, seasoned group of professionals" that has supported communities across the country by "developing and implementing equitable and integrity-driven public safety," the statement reads. Related: Sheriff says 'no law being violated' by swastika flyers in Evendale, residents furious and on edge More: Lincoln Heights rally calls for Evendale boycott to protest neo-Nazi display response 'We will do all we can to assist the Village of Evendale in fully evaluating what happened on February 7th. Our review will be impartial, transparent, and done with the highest degree of independence and professionalism,' Sean Smoot, managing partner of 21CP Solutions, said in the statement. The demonstration stirred up controversy in Greater Cincinnati and left many of the surrounding communities on edge, especially Lincoln Heights, a historically Black village of which residents confronted the white supremacist group. Since then, several men, donning all black and wearing masks with rifles in hand, have recently been seen guarding the village's streets, stopping cars and vetting passersby. During a meeting on Feb. 11, Hamilton County commissioners slammed the village of Evendale's response to the white supremacist demonstration last week. They echoed the concerns of residents as to why the armed white supremacists were able to leave without any citations or arrests by police. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Police to be reviewed after white supremacist protest near Cincinnati
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sheriff says 'no law being violated' by swastika flyers in Evendale, residents furious and on edge
More than 150 people packed the Lincoln Heights village council chambers Monday, demanding answers about the police response to a white supremacist demonstration Friday afternoon atop the Interstate 75 overpass between Evendale and Lincoln Heights. The community town hall did little to quell resident's concerns. Some residents are on edge and taking their safety into their own hands after an armed group flew swastika flags on the border of the historically Black village last week. Residents questioned why police did not arrest or cite anyone from the group, who witnesses said arrived on the overpass in the back of a U-Haul truck wearing all black and armed with AR-15-style rifles. They also expressed concerns about continued sightings and crime in the area over the weekend, saying the group has continued to antagonize the community with little action by law enforcement. The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, whose deputies patrol Lincoln Heights, and the Evendale Police Department were at the center of the overpass demonstration, keeping residents separated from the demonstrators. Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey condemned the group's actions during the town hall – repeatedly calling them Nazis − but pushed back as residents insisted the demonstrators broke the law. Sheriff's lieutenant Mike Steers said there was "no law being violated" by the group. Steers said that the Ohio law only prohibits passengers younger than 16 years old from riding in the back of a U-Haul without a seatbelt. Evendale police, whose chief was not at the town hall, said in a statement Friday that because the protest was on the sidewalk, it was not unlawful. The sheriff said an investigation is ongoing and her office is "talking to the FBI" to try and identify the demonstrators. They have impounded a demonstrator's Jeep and are inventorying it, McGuffey said. McGuffey declined to answer questions from The Enquirer after the town hall about next steps or whether the demonstrators would face charges. Evendale Police Chief Tim Holloway did not return a text asking why he was not at the town hall. After Friday, Lincoln Height's residents said during the town hall they're concerned about the demonstrators driving through the neighborhood and causing damage or harm. Carlton Collins told The Enquirer he feels like the community is not getting the protection it needs. He said several car windows were smashed in a parking lot Saturday and there have been sightings of cars driving through with swastika flags throughout the weekend. Instead of relying solely on the sheriff's office, some residents have turned toward one another. At a prayer march Sunday, community members armed with shotguns, rifles and other guns stood on the perimeter keeping watch. Ahead of the town hall, men armed with rifles stood on the edge of town watching. McGuffey said the sheriff's office has started increased patrols of the area since Friday. She also said she will create a task force with Lincoln Heights leaders and others to address these issues going forward. Eric Ruffin, whose office is off the exit where the demonstration was Friday, said he became concerned for his safety and that of his daughter after being accosted by the group at a stoplight. Ruffin said the demonstrators began yelling racial slurs at him while he sat at the light. "People refuse to understand this is a precursor to something more. I was by myself, but what if it was my daughter alone? It makes me feel helpless," Ruffin said. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 'No law being violated' by swastika flyers on Friday. Lincoln Heights left on edge
