In the wake of a controversial fight in downtown Cincinnati that garnered nationwide attention, flamboyant billionaire and GOP gubernatorial contender Vivek Ramaswamy recently hosted a town hall which focused heavily on the city’s crime issue. These recorded disturbances, occurring on July 26th near the cross roads of Fourth and Elm streets, have propelled the topic of urban safety, and particularly Cincinnati’s crime rates, into the limelight. The incident has not just stirred concern amongst the local populace, but also elicited responses from major figures such as the Cincinnati Republican mayoral candidate Cory Bowman, tech magnate Elon Musk, noteworthy social media platforms like Libs of TikTok, and of course, Ramaswamy himself.
According to Ramaswamy, a successful nation is one where its citizens feel free to echo their private thoughts and concerns in public. As he emphasized throughout the event, tackling the issue of crime represents a moral battlefield of ‘right vs. wrong,’ rather than a partisan conflict of political left versus right. His stance on these issues logic and giving the younger generation a chance at the American dream.
Ramaswamy, who celebrated his 40th birthday on August 9, frequently referred to his own early life experiences in the city and schooling at St. Xavier High School. He asserted that Cincinnati possesses the potential to be an exemplar for other cities grappling with urban crime and declared, ‘It may as well be us.’
The gubernatorial candidate’s proposed solutions involve a mix of policy changes and cultural shifts. Among other things, Ramaswamy suggested a ‘cultural reawakening’ and significant police reforms. For students, he envisioned classrooms without the distraction of cell phones, where each day began with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence. He also stressed faith and family as pivotal elements of social accountability.
According to the candidate, greater financial resources should be devoted to police training, especially in mastering the art of deescalating tense situations. At the same time, he reminded citizens of the reality that law enforcement officers, too, aim to return safely to their loved ones at the end of the day. In escalating scenarios where suspects wield weapons, he stated, deadly force is a foreseeable outcome.
Ramaswamy asserted that overcoming and diminishing crime rates does not require Herculean effort or advanced knowledge. Instead, it calls for strategies such as bail system reforms to keep potential offenders in detention for lengthier periods of time, revitalization of psychiatric hospitals to cater to those suspects presenting mental health concerns, harder penalties for crime conduct, and robust celebration of the rule of law. As per Ramaswamy, courage is the missing piece, and that’s where leadership steps in.
Former Cincinnati City Council member, Christopher Smitherman, addressed the event and directly responded to an audience member’s concerns about the racial aspects of violence. Smitherman admitted that it was not their best moment as a community, stating emphatically, ‘Violence is never the answer.’
Smitherman also shed light on the pressing issue of understaffing within the Cincinnati Police Department, a problem he associated with the ‘defund the police’ movement. ‘What all of us want is well-trained officers who approach us respectfully,’ he said.
The event also granted a platform to Sarah Heringer, a Cincinnati entrepreneur who had tragically lost her husband, Patrick, during an unexpected burglary at their Over-the-Rhine home in June. Expressing her gratitude towards Ramaswamy for the opportunity to speak, she provided a brief account of her husband’s life as a veteran and respected gym owner in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. ‘He didn’t just run a gym,’ she poignantly remarked, ‘He created a refuge.’
Heringer questioned the readiness of the city in responding to such acts of violence and critiqued the overall lack of action against perpetrators. She stressed the urgent need for leaders who fulfill their promises regarding public safety. ‘If they can’t give us that we will replace them,’ she declared.
Heringer also asserted the necessity of transparency from city authorities concerning safety measures, their associated costs, and effectiveness. She further advocated for the establishment of a specialized unit for tracking dangerous offenders. ‘We don’t need more statements, we need action,’ she concluded, demanding that authorities demonstrate their commitment to public safety.
Vivek Ramaswamy took the stage in a bar adorned with American flags and a Budweiser sign, underscoring the gravity of the public safety crisis in the city. ‘We’re here because there was a group of people violently attacked by a mob,’ he said. Ramaswamy shared how he personally reached out to victims of the July 26 attacks when other officials hadn’t.
Last but not least, Cory Bowman, Cincinnati’s Republican mayoral candidate and business owner, introduced himself to the attendees. He recalled returning to a struggling city after the presidential inauguration in January and deciding to run for mayor. He emphasized the need for proactive measures in combating violence in the city, framing it as a community issue rather than a partisan one.
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