Cincinnati is in a state of emergency! Homicides are on the rise. More and more youth are having access to guns. Not just any guns-AK47s and other types of specialty guns. Shootings are taking place in broad daylight. Senior citizens are scared to come out of their homes. Teens are at risk. Neighborhood residents from neighborhoods all across the city are demanding more police visibility. Gangs are setting up shop in our neighborhoods. Drive by shootings are taking place. The citizens are demanding ACTION and they should!

I have read where there is criticism of my decision to pull together a tri-partisan (Democrats, Charterites, and Republicans) coalition with Councilman John Cranley to use $1.2 million for Operation Take Back Our Streets, an anti-gang and violence initiative which will triple police walking patrols in neighborhoods, like Avondale, Price Hill, Evanston, Northside, Bond Hill, Walnut Hills, Over The Rhine, and Westwood targeting Gangs and Violent Crimes. The citizens were demanding ACTION and we took the first step.

The initiative also calls for a comprehensive Homicide Taskforce which pulls together the police, the coroner, social service agencies, job placement officials, the ex-offender taskforce, the DEA, the FBI, the clergy, grass roots leaders, prosecutors, judges, corporate leaders, youth organizations, victims advocacy groups, and other interested parties.

While this initiative is just a first step in the right direction. Other community led initiatives like the Sit Out in Bond Hill led by Sonny Lewis, the Fathers Day March for Peace led by Wilbert Longmire, the Truce Rally led by Candace Tubbs and Charles Wiley, the Black Ribbon campaign led by Jerri Tolliver at WDBZ 1230AM, or the Prayer Walk led by Tracie Hunter at WCVG 1320AM are all needed. It is going to take the entire community to stand united against this violence in our city.

I disagree with those who refer to our efforts as “irresponsible”.

The question becomes what is the cost for loss of life?

It is NEVER IRRESPONSIBLE when you are taking steps to try to save lives and make the city safe. Besides, reports show that income taxes are up by 11% ($2.6 million) that’s why the council voted just last week to restore weekly recycling. Secondly, as I walk the neighborhoods and talk to citizens all across this city, they all are calling for the city to put the necessary resources toward making our neighborhoods and city safe. I spoke to hundreds of youth at Eugene Lampkin’s funeral at my church, New Friendship Baptist Church. I spoke to concerned fathers at the Concerned Father’s Day march, held A Day of Peace rally with young fathers and black businessmen at the Ritz with WIZF 100.9FM, pushed for a Black on Black Crime and Anti-Gang initiative, stood with Bond Hill business owners and community leaders on California and Reading to run drug dealers away, talked with seniors citizens who live in the affected communities, and held a town hall meeting at the Avondale Pride Center with community leaders, residents, the NAACP president, the Urban League President, the Community Action Agency president, the president of Metro Bus Company, family members of victims of homicides, and ministers. They all have one message-The Violence Must Stop!

As a Leader, having police officers out of their cars and walking the beat will be a top priority. We will also track where the guns are coming from and work to fully prosecute anyone caught selling guns to our youth.

At the same we must have a comprehensive job initiative. That is why I am pleased to have co-sponsored and voted for $2 million for the Blue Print for Success ex-offender program led by Community Action Agency, and launch the $265,000 (in addition to funds for CCY) Youth Ambassador summer employment program. As a Leader, I will make sure the economic renaissance that Cincinnati will be experiencing through the redevelopment of Over the Rhine, the Banks, the hospitals, and Uptown will generate real job opportunities for Cincinnatians first!

Crime and Jobs go hand and hand.

Cincinnati is in a state of emergency. We need a reconnection of Government to the People. I am tired of going to funerals, loosing our youth to hopelessness, and living in a community that hears gun shots. Being a Leader requires someone strong enough and connected enough to the people to bring people together to TAKE ACTION! It's not about STYLE or MONEY. It’s about strong leadership that is bold enough to make tough decisions and take ACTION in difficult times. That is why I am running!

By Vice Mayor Alicia Reece

REMEMBER to VOTE! and
VOTE for Alicia REECE!