Cincinnati's Shift in Policing: A New Approach to Crime

Cincinnati is changing its approach to policing. After a recent shooting, the mayor wants police to focus more on minor crimes. This is a big change from their recent goal to reduce police involvement in non-violent situations. The city has been working on ways to send mental health professionals instead of police to certain calls. This program, called Alternative Response to Crisis (ARC), will continue. However, the mayor now wants police to enforce all laws, no matter how small. Experts say this might not reduce crime in the long run. A professor from the University of Cincinnati said that enforcing minor crimes doesn't always make people safer. It can also hurt the relationship between police and the community. The city has also created a new task force. This group of officers focuses on drug and gun crimes. They have made many arrests, but most are for minor offenses like jaywalking or having an open container. The mayor says this new approach is about making people feel safer. He believes that police should be seen more often and should enforce the law strictly. However, some people worry that this could lead to more problems if not done carefully. The city's police chief is on leave, and a new interim chief has been named. The mayor says the new chief will focus on using technology and being more visible in the community.