While overall crime rates may be dropping or holding steady in many parts of the U.S., there are some crimes increasing rapidly in our city of Cincinnati. The increases in crime rates are not confined to one type of crime, either. We have seen jumps in both violent crimes and thefts. This year alone, we have seen a rise in particular in the number of shootings and car thefts.
Auto theft reports have shown a double-digit increase year-to-date. In fact, through the first week in September, stolen vehicle reports were 11 percent higher this year than in 2014, according to police reports. Since this report was released, the car thefts have shown no indication of slowing down. In fact, we are likely to see many more car thefts this year if things continue this way.
Even worse, violent shootings are also increasing in Cincinnati—and at an even higher rate. By September, more than 320 people had been shot in Cincinnati, 50 of whom died from the gunshot wounds. This puts the number of shootings 30 percent higher in 2015 up to this point than they were in 2014. With numbers this bleak, it’s no surprise that people are starting to feel unsafe within our city. In fact, this rise in crime is part of the reason City Hall fired Cincinnati’s police chief last month.
What’s Behind the Rise in Crimes in Cincinnati — and How Do We Stop It?
So what’s behind this rise in crimes in Cincinnati? No single simple answer is possible to give. What is clear, however, is that many factors are involved. Some of the contributing factors named by The Enquirer after months of investigative reporting include:
- Easy access to guns
- Shortages of illegal drugs and the resulting turf wars
- Reduced anti-violence campaigns
- Gang activity, especially with juvenile offenders
- Cycles of violence and retribution
- National coverage of gun crimes
No matter which factor contributes most to these crimes, one thing is clear: we need to stop its rise. Still, stopping these types of crimes is never easy, especially with the kind of momentum we have built this year so far. Addressing each factor individually is a good start.
Many have suggested that added policing and cracking down on crime will help bring Cincinnati back to normal, but according to The Enquirer, this may not be true. Policing is up, and harsher punishments don’t always address the root of the problem for a long-term solution. Over the next year, though, we will likely see a push for harsher sentences regardless.
While we want to see a decrease in the crimes in our city as much as any other residents, we hope that police will work to find solutions, not simply punish the few caught. In the meantime, anyone accused of any crime should be prepared to face the harshest possible consequences of their actions. If you are arrested in Cincinnati, it’s important to call a Cincinnati criminal defense lawyer right away to help protect your rights. At Luftman, Heck, & Associates, our Cincinnati criminal defense lawyers are dedicated to helping you get the best possible outcome, so call us today for a free case evaluation at (513) 338-1890 to find out how we may be able to help.
