Seventeen people were arrested after Cincinnati police reported huge groups creating “disorder and violence” on Opening Day.
Our crews were at Great American Ball Park as Cincinnati police and SWAT cleared off the Banks and directed people to “the city” shortly after 9 p.m. on Thursday. “This is your official warning… it’s time to go home,” someone said over the loudspeaker.
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Multiple people detained in Cincinnati during Reds Opening Day ‘disorder and violence.’
Officers stopped at the junction of E. Freedom Way and Marian Spencer Way near the Yard House restaurant, advising them they couldn’t cross and to walk around.
Throughout the day, our teams observed officers running to and from several downtown spots.
In one incident, authorities informed us that approximately 20 juveniles were fighting at Washington Park. Another incident had a large crowd running through the Banks during a Reds game. We got many calls of large groups… with quite a bit of disruption and violence,” CPD acting chief Adam Hennie stated on Thursday night. Officers encountered significant opposition while attempting to dispatch to certain locations.
Hennie claimed there had been incidents of individuals tasing or using chemical irritants on others.
Fraternal Order of Police President Ken Kober described the scenario as “absolute chaos.” “Just mass hysteria and chaos,” Kober explained. “What should have been a fantastic day, beautiful weather in Cincinnati, you know, major league baseball back in Cincinnati, is completely overshadowed by juveniles that are just causing chaos.”
He claimed police had to summon any off-duty SWAT or Civil Disturbance Response Team members who could help manage the masses. Hennie stated that the individuals were not dressed in riot gear but did use “standard crowd control techniques… to restore order.”
Hennie reported 17 arrests on Friday for disorderly conduct, possession of firearms while inebriated, failure to comply, assault, and resisting arrest. We made 17 arrests of people ranging in age from 14 to 50 years old, representing a variety of genders and ethnicities,” Hennie stated.
Judge Brad J. Greenberg of Hamilton County Municipal Court stated that the court will impose “high bonds” on instances related to the pandemonium surrounding Opening Day. Opening Day in Cincinnati is remarkable. “Our traditions and history are unique,” the statement reads.
“Violence and chaos shall not be permitted. Chaos during a huge public gathering is dangerous and can spread quickly. This court will impose large bonds in these cases to prevent recurrence and restore law and order.
Iyonna Fairbanks, a woman accused of purposefully scratching an officer’s face and causing blood, had the highest bond of the numerous defendants arraigned Friday morning. Her attorneys claim she was attempting to reach her mother on the other side of the parade route when authorities informed her she needed to stay where she was.
Prosecutors said she grew erratic, and an officer who attempted to detain her had “several large scratch marks on his left cheek, nose, and a few scrapes on his hand.” Fairbanks’ bond was set at $210,000.
Another person, Shekwon Walker, is suspected of striking an officer from behind. His bond amount was set at $140,000.
On Friday morning, Mayor Aftab Pureval issued a statement calling the actions “an outrage.” This is precisely what instills dread and concern in our guests who visit to support our urban core,” the statement says.
Pureval expressed gratitude to Cincinnati Police and other law enforcement partners that assisted with the response. “I’m glad they’re okay,” Pureval wrote. “We can’t ask them to do this every night. My hope is that everyone engaged last night accepts full responsibility and that every stakeholder and community member is eager to collaborate with us to prevent this from occurring again.”
