A week ago on April 12, we saw Cincinnati explode into civil war. I used to consider the Cincinnati police as guardians, protectors, those who can help us in our time of need. I used to think nothing like this would ever happen. But with the recent and blatantly obvious racial problems plaguing Cincinnati, I ask myself, what would happen when we need to be protected from the protectors? How do we separate good policemen from bad policemen?
Anybody visiting downtown Cincinnati on April 6, 2001, might have encountered a noisy protest called “The Black Power Rally.” But few people even noticed; almost nobody paid any attention. The very next day a police officer shot an unarmed black man named Timothy Thomas in Over-the-Rhine. People were paying attention then. As a result, angry rioters destroyed businesses, damaged property, injured protesters, police, and innocent people just passing through. Thanks to national coverage and attention, Cincinnati has no choice but to begin operating on wounds left alone for too long. With all of the unrest subsiding, it doesn’t mean that the problem is over.
As a student of UC, I want to know why what happened, happened. As a citizen of Cincinnati, I want to look into our Police Department, because I’m afraid they have broken laws: the same laws we live by on a day-to-day basis. Law enforcers cannot become law breakers, no matter who you are or what kind of position you hold. The Police Department needs to do more public relations and should provide detailed explanation as to what is going on in that Department. As attorney Kenneth Lawson states, (as one of the three pressing a lawsuit against the city over racial profiling): “Empty promises and soothing speeches about better race relations.has never led anywhere.”
After the funeral on April 14, WCPO Channel 9 reported that police again fired at unarmed people in Over-the-Rhine, this time hitting two young girls and two adults. One of the adults sustained a cracked rib and two internal bruises. Later that day four police cruisers pulled up, the police got out and fired beanbags at the crowd without apparent reason. Across the street some people were walking and the officers turned and fired a few shots at them and said, “You better run!” This made the crowds even angrier, and chaos resounded. Was this method some kind of an attempt to incite the crowd?
I agree that violence is not and never will be the answer, but you’d think the police would get the message by now. The people are sick and tired of police committing crimes. These young kids are fed up, and they want justice to be done. The anger the community in general feels toward the CPD is not a secret; the distrust runs deep. The Cincinnati police can’t just put a cap on this one as they always do.