The City of Cincinnati is not immune to the effects of crime and blight on the economic viability of established bedroom communities within the city limits.  In recent years, the mobility of criminal activity, predatory lending and absentee landlords began to radically change the quality of life in one of the City's traditionally most stable communities.  The increasing demand for police enforcement and the need to attend to non-traditional community concerns further emphasized the urgency to seek innovative concepts to address the issues. In the spring of 2006, such an opportunity was presented to the Cincinnati Police Department by the Target Corporation through the Safe City Concept. Police Chief Thomas H. Streicher, Jr. immediately recognized the value of the Safe City concept and directed staff members to create a model partnership for others to emulate. The Western Corridor Safe City Project was announced on June 14th, 2006 and has generated overwhelming support and synergy in the City of Cincinnati.

The Western Corridor Safe City Project links successful community and Police Department initiatives into a unified and comprehensive process to address issues in or near the 6.5 mile Glenway Avenue business corridor. Key stakeholders committed to the project include private and public educational institutions, large and small businesses and community groups, in addition to Police Department resources. The project includes an electronic information sharing network via internet and text devices, community newsletters, events, and a proposed surveillance camera network, pending full funding. The project goal is to increase community involvement and information sharing between stakeholders in order to positively affect the quality of life and further strengthen the economic viability of the communities.

The enthusiasm for the project concept has resulted in numerous other requests for expansion into other communities within the city limits and neighboring suburbs. The Safe City Concept successfully unites society's best and brightest to positively affect lives, increase economic viability and ensures a safer community for all.

Captain Jeffrey L. Butler Jr.
Western Corridor Safe City Project Manager
Cincinnati Police Department