During a Feb. 13 press conference, City Manager Sheryl Long said violent crime is actually down in the city, but a more concerning trend has prompted action from City Hall.
"Overall, violent crime is down in Cincinnati, but the specific types of crimes we're seeing are very concerning," she said. "Disturbingly, we're seeing more kids involved in crime, both as perpetuators and as victims."
Recent incidents
The press event comes after two attacks in Cincinnati's Downtown neighborhood in January. On Jan. 23, a man was attacked and robbed on 6th Street by a group of eight people, including teenagers. A second attack happened the next day on 5th Street, and that time a 15-year-old was attacked.In all, CPD said 14 people have been arrested in relation to the incidents, many juveniles.
New hospital-based program
Long announced a new partnership between the city, University of Cincinnati Medical Center (UCMC) and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center that will aim to stop the cycle of violence from the first point of trauma."We'll establish a working group of experts and practitioners to share resources and develop a trauma-informed approach to care," she said.
The program will be the nation's first pediatric and adult violence intervention program, according to Long. Doctors from both hospitals said the program will expand the way victims of gun violence are treated when they are brought to UCMC or Cincinnati Children's.
"This is a uniquely American problem," said Dr. Meera Kotagal, director of trauma services at Cincinnati Children’s. “Firearm-related injury is the leading cause of death for children in the United States, causing significant suffering for children and their families. We welcome the opportunity to work with our adult Level I trauma center colleagues at UC Medical Center to build an infrastructure addressing the comprehensive post-injury needs of youth, young adults, their families and communities impacted by gun violence.”
Three to four new violence prevention professionals will be hired by UCMC and shared with Cincinnati Children's to provide violent crime victims with a longer-term care plan that includes mental health support.
"We as institutions have not done enough to address the long-lasting mental and psychological trauma that gun violence inflicts," said Dr. Amy Makley, trauma medical director for UCMC. "Disproportionately, many of our [gun violence] patients are young, healthy adults, teenagers and children and they have a high proportion that are young Black males."
Makley said research shows re-injury rates for gunshot patients are "soaring" as high as 40%.
"This program will engage our gun violence victims throughout their recovery, providing not only medical treatment but also crucial mental health support, substance abuse intervention and access to vital community resources," Makley said. "Addressing the root causes of violence and offering comprehensive assistance, we aim to break the cycle of trauma and violent injury."
Long said the initiative is being funded by a $600,000 community grant for community-based violence intervention and prevention the city applied for last summer.
New Violence Reduction Manager
Long also announced the hiring of De'Angelo Harris-Rosa, the city's first Violence Reduction Manager in the department of Human Services. Harris-Rosa comes from Philadelphia where he headed up a similar office. With a background in law enforcement, Harris-Rosa will oversee the new hospital partnership and other community-based programs that seek to curb gun violence. He starts on Feb. 19."De'Angelo will be coordinator and collaborator between the wide array of partners who come together to do this work," she said.
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