The front-page headline of the June 26 Enquirer read: “Pureval: ‘Unacceptable rise’ in Cincinnati crime.” There’s that word again − “unacceptable.” That seems to be the go-to word for Mayor Aftab Pureval after every major crime or act of violence that takes place in Cincinnati.
When a police officer was attacked in Sawyer Point in July 2023, it was “unacceptable.” When teenagers were attacking people downtown in January 2024, it was “unacceptable.” When Patrick Heringer was recently killed in his OTR home, it was “unacceptable.” Now there is an “unacceptable rise in Cincinnati crime.”
In the June 26 article, the mayor is quoted as saying: “Too many residents are becoming victims right now. Too many neighbors are concerned about the safety of their streets.” In a previous article, the mayor was quoted as saying: “I am ultimately responsible for keeping residents safe.” How has the mayor been doing in that responsibility? I think most Cincinnati residents would say, unacceptable…