Ohio Troopers Join Cincinnati Police to Tackle Downtown Crime Spike

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State law enforcement is stepping in to support the Cincinnati Police Department (CPD) following a violent street brawl in the city’s Downtown area that went viral over the weekend. Governor Mike DeWine announced recently on FOX19 NOW that Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers, along with the agency’s Aviation Unit, will assist in efforts to address growing public safety concerns.

The deployment comes in response to what state officials have called “recent instances of violence” in the city. Local leaders requested help to manage the situation, which has gained national and international attention due to circulating videos of the chaotic incident.

The state troopers will focus on traffic enforcement throughout the city, a move designed to allow Cincinnati officers to concentrate on criminal investigations and community safety initiatives. The Highway Patrol’s Aviation Unit will also assist in tracking criminal suspects, aiding in searches, and supporting police during vehicle pursuits.

“Ohio essentially has a package of law enforcement support services the state can provide in times when local authorities could use some additional help,” Governor DeWine stated. “We’ve done this in other cities, and it has made a big difference.”

Mayor Aftab Pureval praised the governor for his rapid response and voiced confidence in the partnership’s impact.

“I want to express my deep appreciation to Governor DeWine for his continued leadership and his assistance on our most important responsibility as a government,” said Mayor Pureval in the official statement. “Combatting violence is our most urgent challenge, and this coordination and support from the State of Ohio will assist our local law enforcement in ensuring the safety of all our residents. I am extremely proud of our police officers for their diligence and exceptional service – and we will continue to be unrelenting in our support of their work.”

Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge echoed the mayor’s remarks and emphasized how vital state resources have been to law enforcement operations.

“Our partnership with the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the use of their Aviation Unit have been instrumental in recent CPD initiatives. I am extremely grateful to Governor DeWine for offering state resources for the safety of our communities,” Chief Theetge said.

The strategy of reinforcing local police with state-level resources has already been tested in other Ohio cities such as Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Youngstown, and Toledo. In those cases, the collaboration led to numerous felony arrests, the confiscation of illegal weapons, the recovery of stolen vehicles, and the seizure of illegal drugs.

In addition to the trooper deployment, Cincinnati will also receive support from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and the Ohio Department of Youth Services. These agencies can assist in locating individuals under parole or post-prison supervision, further strengthening public safety measures in the city.