Ohio State Highway Patrol Supports Cincinnati Police Amid Downtown Violence

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that the Ohio State Highway Patrol will provide additional support to the Cincinnati Police Department following a violent downtown fight that gained national attention. State troopers will focus on traffic enforcement to free up local officers for other investigations, while the Patrol’s Aviation Unit will assist with violent crime reduction, suspect searches, and vehicle pursuit mitigation using helicopters. This support package aims to enhance local law enforcement's capacity to combat violence, a priority echoed by Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval and Police Chief Teresa Theetge, who praised the state's assistance and the instrumental role of the aviation units. DeWine highlighted that similar initiatives in other Ohio cities have yielded significant results, including felony arrests and firearm confiscations. Additional resources, such as support from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and the Ohio Department of Youth Services, are also available to address parole violations and evidence analysis. The coordinated effort underscores a commitment by state and local officials to ensure community safety amid rising concerns about violent incidents in Cincinnati.