New Partnerships in Cincinnati Focus
on Public Safety, Criminal Justice
 (CINCINNATI)— Ohio Governor Mike DeWine joined state, local, and federal officials in Cincinnati today to announce two new partnerships with the Cincinnati Police Department focused on protecting the public and holding violent criminals accountable.
At the state level, the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) will soon begin working in direct partnership with the Cincinnati Police Department to conduct violent crime reduction initiatives within the city. The data-driven initiatives will use intelligence from Cincinnati's Crime Gun Intelligence Center to focus on hot-spot areas with the highest rates of crime.
OSHP will also provide aerial overwatch support for the law enforcement teams on the ground. OSHP's Aviation Unit responds to more than 1,000 calls for support from local law enforcement agencies statewide each year. In Cincinnati, aerial crews will focus on supporting the crime reduction initiatives through criminal suspect searches and vehicle pursuit mitigation.
The Ohio Investigative Unit, which enforces Ohio's alcohol laws, will focus on taking enforcement action on those who illegally carry weapons and commit other crimes on the premises of liquor establishments in high-crime areas.
"We've dispatched this state support to other cities in the past, and we've seen great results," said Governor DeWine. "We are confident that, through this partnership effort, these violent crime reduction initiatives will make a difference in Cincinnati."
"We are beyond grateful to Governor DeWine for extending vital state resources to the Cincinnati Police Department as we continue the important work of protecting our city," said Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge. "Our long-standing and positive partnership with the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Ohio Investigative Unit has proven time and again to be a powerful force in safeguarding our streets. We welcome their support, talent, and unwavering commitment to public safety. Together, we will continue listening to our communities and delivering what they deserve most: the comfort and confidence of safety in every Cincinnati neighborhood."
"Our office welcomes partnerships that strengthen our collective ability to protect Cincinnati families," said Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich. "By working together and sharing resources, we can more effectively hold violent offenders accountable and keep our neighborhoods safe. Collaboration across all levels of government is key to building a safer community."
On the federal level, the Cincinnati Police Department will join the U.S. Marshals' Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST), which is composed of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including OSHP, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction's Adult Parole Authority, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Ohio.
The U.S. Marshals SOFAST Task Force is currently leading an operation targeting violent criminal offenders in Cincinnati. "Operation Queen City Justice" has led to the arrests of more than a dozen wanted offenders so far, including individuals wanted on charges of arson, sexual assault, burglary, and murder.
"The United States Marshals Service, through our fugitive task forces, unites local, state, and federal law enforcement in the common goal to make our community safer," said U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Ohio Michael Black. "Locating and apprehending those accused of violent crimes provides justice to the victims and their families, prohibits these suspects from committing further violent acts, and serves as a deterrent for others to not commit similar crimes. We are proud to partner with the Cincinnati Police Department and welcome them to our task force. By sharing resources and collaborating, we will make an impact on violent crime in the city."
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