Pubdate: Sat, 24 Jan 2009
Source: Cincinnati Enquirer (OH)
Copyright: 2009 The Cincinnati Enquirer
Contact: http://enquirer.com/editor/letters.html
Website: http://enquirer.com/today/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/86
Author: Lisa Bernard-Kuhn

DRUG TRADE DRIVES MUCH OF THE VIOLENCE

In the past four years, violent crime has dropped a staggering 40 
percent in Over-the-Rhine.

But an elusive and entrenched drug trade continues to thrive, one of 
the biggest deterrents to the neighborhood's transformation.

Last year through November, police made 1,470 drug-related arrests - 
the most of any city neighborhood, according to Cincinnati Police 
statistics. Many are considered nonviolent offenses, but statistics 
can be deceptive.

"Drugs go hand in hand with violent crime, and when a drug trade gets 
ingrained in a neighborhood for such a long time it's not easily 
removed," District 1 Captain Theresa Theetge says.

Fighting drugs in Over-the-Rhine has required a full range of police 
power including street patrols, undercover investigations and 
combined efforts targeting problem properties, engaging residents and 
educating business owners.

Police say they've been most successful in areas where Cincinnati 
Center City Development Corp. has focused its redevelopment effort: 
Vine, Race, Elm and Main streets, all south of Liberty.

"That used to be a heavy drug area years ago," Theetge says.

Officer Tim Eppstein, a neighborhood liaison for two years, says 
Over-the-Rhine's streets are mostly safe, "as long as you're not 
buying or selling."

Those involved in drugs face real difficulties in getting out of the 
business - even when they want to, police say.

"I've arrested three generations of families before," Eppstein says. 
"It's a hard cycle to break. Once they catch a felony, it's tough to 
get out from under that."

Eppstein - who often rides through Over-the-Rhine on a bicycle 
because he says it's an easier approach for busting up deals - tells 
of drugs being traded in potato chip bags or hidden in window sills. 
Rarely are deals done in one-on-one exchanges.

"It's a groomed, hierarchical system," Eppstein says. "Typically, 
they have one person hold the drugs, another hold the money, and then 
there's a lookout."

Recently, Over-the-Rhine residents learned that they'll have one 
fewer resource against violence and drugs.

City Council voted in December to cut funding for a $100,000 Drug and 
Gun Elimination Program that paid off-duty and retired police 
officers for undercover work and surveillance. That's in addition to 
a cut made last year when Hamilton County sheriff's deputies pulled 
out of neighborhood patrols.

In 2008, the drug and gun program was responsible for removing 16 
guns and more than 500 grams of crack, cocaine and heroin off the 
streets. Officials say the drugs had a street value of more than $170,000.

"It doesn't take long for criminal elements to figure out when 
there's something not in place, and our biggest concern is that we 
might see a spike in criminal activity," says Brian Tiffany, 
executive director of the Over-the-Rhine Chamber.

"We've come such a long way, and I think one thing we all agree on is 
that we don't want to take a step back."
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